-
- 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
IPC APEX EXPO 2023: Face-to-Face Not Mask-to-Mask
January 25, 2023 | Pete Starkey, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
It was a bright, sunny California day as IPC APEX EXPO officially opened its doors on Tuesday, Jan. 24 at the San Diego Convention Center. The Technical Conference began on the same day, while the program of standards meetings and professional development courses had been in progress since Saturday, Jan. 21.
During the hustle and bustle of the show build-up over the weekend, it was clear to see that so many exhibitors had the confidence to bring so much major equipment and to invest in such spectacular booths to display it.
And probably most significant, this was going to be a true live event: Face-to-face instead of mask-to-mask as it had been last year.
“Advance in a new era” was the headline theme, and the opening keynote came from the acclaimed science communicator Emily Calandrelli, who delivered an inspirational presentation on the subject of the sustainability, economics and advocacy of space exploration, as well as examining ways of getting and keeping more women in STEM.
Calandrelli also spoke to a group of more than 100 gathered for an evening Women in Electronics reception, where she highlighted her efforts to effect policy change, sometimes simply because she was experiencing discrimination herself.
After her keynote address, a large crowd gathered to witness the ribbon-cutting ceremony before the doors were opened and a flood of enthusiastic visitors filled the aisles of the immaculately presented exhibit hall. Lots to see, lots of people to meet, lots to talk about and definitely lots of business to be done!
Representing North America’s largest gathering of electronics manufacturing professionals, IPC’s APEX EXPO 2023 promises to be a brilliant event.
As part of the EMS Leadership Forum, IPC’s Chris Mitchell offered the following report on Monday’s gathering:
- Monday’s EMS Leadership Forum at APEX EXPO boasted many first-time attendees and a compelling agenda that touched on the most pressing issues facing electronics assembly.
- The day started with an advocacy update that signaled promising developments in Washington as the industry leverages increased interest in electronics manufacturing to persuade policymakers to support a rebuilding of the domestic industry.
IPC Chief Economist Shawn DuBravac gave his outlook for the year ahead:
- There are headwinds and tailwinds impacting electronics manufacturers
- Expect flat to modest growth in the U.S. and flat to down growth in Europe
- The forecast in Asia is shrouded in uncertainty but looking better now with China’s decision to relax its Zero Covid policy
Another highlight of the EMS Leadership Summit was a supply chain panel featuring some of the industry’s leading voices, including Summit’s John Vaughn and SMTC’s Ed Smith. The panel highlighted a global supply chain that is seeing reduced lead times and costs but poses ongoing challenges to EMS companies.
After a show floor reception on Tuesday at the close of the business day, most exhibitors wrapped up their machines and the crowd headed home. But the show continues Wednesday, when IPC President and CEO John W. Mitchell will deliver a keynote address, and the lively two-day STEM event gets underway.
Suggested Items
IDTechEx Examines the Opportunities for Wearables in Digital Health
04/19/2024 | IDTechExIDTechEx’s report, “Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence 2024-2034: Trends, Opportunities, and Outlook”, covers this ongoing trend in the consumer health wearables market and includes analysis of the opportunities and roadmap for biometric monitoring.
ZESTRON Welcomes Whitlock Associates as New Addition to their Existing Rep Team in Florida
04/19/2024 | ZESTRONZESTRON, the leading global provider of high-precision cleaning products, services, and training solutions in the electronics manufacturing and semiconductor industries, is thrilled to announce the addition of Whitlock Associates to its esteemed network of sales representatives.
IPC Bestows Posthumous Hall of Fame Award to Industry Icon Michael Ford
04/18/2024 | IPCIPC honored the late Michael Ford, Aegis Software, for his extraordinary contributions to the global electronics manufacturing industry with the IPC Raymond E. Pritchard Hall of Fame Award at IPC APEX EXPO 2024. IPC’s most prestigious honor, the Hall of Fame Award is given to individuals who have provided exceptional service and advancement to IPC and the electronics industry. Ford, an industry leader and valued IPC volunteer, died suddenly in January 2024.
SEMI Applauds U.S. Chips Act Award for Samsung Electronics Facilities to Strengthen Domestic Semiconductor Supply Chain
04/17/2024 | SEMISEMI, the industry association serving the global electronics design and manufacturing supply chain, applauded the United States Department of Commerce’s announcement of a Preliminary Memorandum of Terms for an award under the CHIPS and Science Act to support the expansion of Samsung Electronics’ presence in Texas and the company’s development and production of leading-edge chips.
Northrop Grumman honors Calumet Electronics with Supplier Excellence Award
04/17/2024 | Calumet ElectronicsNorthrop Grumman Corporation has recognized Calumet Electronics during the company’s 2024 Supplier Excellence Awards for “exceptional performance and unwavering commitment to delivering with excellence.” Calumet is one of 70 suppliers recognized from across the globe. In its award category of “Supplier Strategic Excellence,” Calumet was honored alongside global corporations such as Amazon Web Services, Dell Technologies, and Eaton Corporation.