I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week

Reading time ( words)

This week’s news gave off every indicator that we’ve started a new calendar year. The news channels were busy with changes in leadership—both corporate and governmental—and changes in ownership. Changes in representation, too. Honestly, it was hard to sort out the news to just five top items. Be that as it may, here are five things we think you ought to read, even if you read nothing else about the electronics manufacturing industry this week: tradeshow coverage, strategic acquisitions, market discussion, and governmental advocacy.

CES 2021 Coverage: A Virtual Show Floor
Published January 17

Our intrepid CES gumshoe reporter, Dan Feinberg, led our coverage of the virtual version of this year’s show. Dan’s CES coverage is always popular reading. This year, thanks to the virtual format, Happy Holden and Pete Starkey joined Dan and me, posting reports from CES. You’ll find full coverage in the upcoming issue of SMT007 Magazine. In the meantime, here is Dan’s “show floor” report as published in our Daily Newsletter.

Cadence to Acquire NUMECA to Expand System Analysis Capabilities with Computational Fluid Dynamics
Published January 21

Cadence Design Systems kicked off its year with this announcement of intent to acquire NUMECA, expanding their system analysis tool offerings. There seems to be quite a bit of motion amongst the tier 1 EDA software companies in the system design space; this is yet another example.

Futurist, Writer and Manufacturing Tech Expert Travis Hessman to Keynote IPC APEX EXPO 2021
Published January 18

IPC APEX EXPO 2021 will be virtual this year, making this a virtual keynote. Whatever it might be that we give up by attending a virtual keynote, there are a few sure things: the presentation will be topical and thought-provoking, we’ll be able to hear the presenter, and there will definitely be a chair for all of us. See you there! 

The Government Circuit: IPC is Ready for the Year of Advocacy Ahead 
Published January 19 

Government relations is another area of near-constant updates and new developments. This dispatch from IPC’s Chris Mitchell and his team captures some of the current action. Frenetic is this column might make government relations seem right at the moment, there is undoubtedly much more underway. Get another glimpse of all the advocacy Chris’ team is up to. 

MivaTek’s New Technology and Market Drivers 
Published January 19 

I recently spoke with Brendan Hogan about the upcoming new product releases from MivaTek. The conversation flows naturally from the new products, to market drivers to, the idea that continuous improvement is at the core of the market drivers.

03/23/2023 | Pete Starkey, I-Connect007

On the Wednesday of IPC APEX EXPO week, IPC President and CEO Dr. John W. Mitchell stylishly delivered his keynote address, “Fire Your Hiring Habits!” to a packed ballroom full of round tables all immaculately laid for a sit-down lunch. Announced by IPC Hall-of-Famer Joe O’Neil with a Rolling Stones track in the background, Mitchell’s presentation, subtitled “Finding and keeping the best talent is fundamental to building electronics better,” offered relevant and valuable guidance on understanding human nature and how this knowledge can help you find and keep the right individuals for your organisation.

03/22/2023 | John W. Mitchell, IPC

What goes down must also come up. This is not the idiom we’re used to hearing, but I’d like to apply it to IPC APEX EXPO 2023. After a few years of lower attendance numbers due to the COVID pandemic, 2023 ushered in a re-invigorated group of attendees, exhibitors, speakers, event contractors, and staff to the show floor and meeting rooms. IPC APEX EXPO 2023 was fueled by the possibilities of new advances in electronics manufacturing.

03/21/2023 | Christopher Bonsell, Chemcut

This year, I had the great opportunity to come to IPC APEX EXPO in San Diego as a contributing member in Chemcut’s booth. Being an exhibitor is always interesting because you never know what you will learn or who you will meet. Truly, it seems that every IPC APEX EXPO is an eye-opening experience. This was the second show I attended, and last year I was amazed to see how in-depth and interconnected the electronics industry is. Seeing how many different companies contribute to manufacturing today’s core technology never fails to impress me.