-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- smt007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueBox Build
One trend is to add box build and final assembly to your product offering. In this issue, we explore the opportunities and risks of adding system assembly to your service portfolio.
IPC APEX EXPO 2024 Pre-show
This month’s issue devotes its pages to a comprehensive preview of the IPC APEX EXPO 2024 event. Whether your role is technical or business, if you're new-to-the-industry or seasoned veteran, you'll find value throughout this program.
Boost Your Sales
Every part of your business can be evaluated as a process, including your sales funnel. Optimizing your selling process requires a coordinated effort between marketing and sales. In this issue, industry experts in marketing and sales offer their best advice on how to boost your sales efforts.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - smt007 Magazine
Economic Outlook: Joe O’Neil Has More Optimism than Concerns
December 27, 2023 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Joe O’Neil’s background includes operating both printed circuit fabrication and printed circuit assembly companies. In his current role, Joe contributes to the strategic initiatives at IPC, including his involvement in developing advanced fabrication technologies demonstration facilities in the U.S.
For 2024, how would you describe the economic outlook for the industry? What are you optimistic about? What are you worried about?
The global economic outlook for the electronics industry in 2024 presents a mixed landscape. While there's a sense of flatness, several opportunities are emerging. One notable trend is the relocation of manufacturing from China to regions like Southeast Asia, Mexico, and the U.S., fostering a more diversified supply chain. I am particularly optimistic about the renewed focus on building a robust domestic electronics manufacturing base. New domestic activities across the value chain are on the rise and are expected to continue in the coming year.
There are, however, valid concerns. Rising interest rates, inflation, and other economic headwinds have the potential to delay these projects. Geopolitical tensions and increasing complexities in the industry are also worrisome factors.
What concerns you most in your growth plans: capabilities, capacity, or competition?
Actually, workforce is my main concern. I believe that there are talented, extremely bright young people coming up through our education system and entering the workforce. Can the electronics industry attract them? If so, I am not worried about developing and sustaining domestic capabilities and capacities and competing on a global scale. Without the workforce, none of that is possible. I see massive opportunities for bright, young engineers in our industry. The challenges are large, but the opportunities are large as well.
To read this entire conversation, which appeared in the December 2023 issue of SMT007 Magazine, click here.
Suggested Items
The New Industry: Will the Growth Continue?
04/30/2024 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamHow sustainable are the primary financial models in the United States regarding PCB fabrication shops? In this interview with economic experts Shawn DuBravac and Tom Kastner, we explore what’s happening with U.S. printed circuit board shops in today’s market, how consolidation affects the industry, and what can be done.
TTM’s High Tech Expansion and Industry Innovation
04/30/2024 | Marcy LaRont, PCB007 MagazineTom Edman has been the CEO of TTM Technologies since 2014 and has an extensive background in electronics and manufacturing. TTM is a leading global manufacturer of technology solutions, including mission systems, RF component and RF microwave microelectronics assemblies, and quick turn and advanced technology printed circuit boards.
U.S. Companies Invest Heavily in Robots
04/30/2024 | IFRManufacturing companies in the United States have invested heavily in more automation: total installations of industrial robots rose by 12% and reached 44,303 units in 2023. Number one adopter is the car industry followed by the electrical and electronics sector.
USPAE to Springboard U.S. Technology Forward
04/30/2024 | Marcy LaRont, PCB007 MagazineThe U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE) was launched as a nonprofit subsidiary of IPC in 2020, specifically to manage the DoD relationship and access to funding, and to develop a cooperative facility to develop UHDI capabilities in the U.S., not only for the defense sector, but for the whole of the U.S. electronics industry. It is a tall order, but industry veteran Joe O'Neil believes it will happen. Having been tasked with making the UHDI Capable Cooperative Production Facility (UCCPF) a reality, he provides an update on this important project for U.S. electronics manufacturing.
Samsung Electronics Begins Industry’s First Mass Production of 9th-Gen V-NAND
04/29/2024 | Samsung ElectronicsSamsung Electronics, the world leader in advanced memory technology, today announced that it has begun mass production for its one-terabit (Tb) triple-level cell (TLC) 9th-generation vertical NAND (V-NAND), solidifying its leadership in the NAND flash market.