June 08, 2022

The Benefits of Diversifying PCB Industry Supply Chain

33 minutes

To develop a resilient ecosystem, understanding the root cause of the PCB industry supply chain shortages is a must.

In this episode, Travis Kelly, president and CEO of Isola Group will help us understand what is going on with the current supply chain in the electronics industry. Travis will also give us his insight into the new legislation introduced in the US Congress: Bipartisan Bill to Bring Electronics Manufacturing to America and Strengthen Supply Chains.

Tune in, or listen on the go. Stay up to date with the latest discussion in the PCB Industry.

Altium 365: Where the World Designs Electronics

Watch the video, click here. t

Show Highlights:

Travis's introduction and a brief overview of PCB manufacturing and fabrication in the United States

About 20 years ago, the US produced roughly 26% of the world's PCBs; today, that number is down to 4%

There used to be over 2000 fabricators in the late 1990s and early 2000 to less than 140 today

What are the main drivers of the PCB industry supply chain shift?

The industry recognizes the benefits of working in a global economy; Travis explained the need to diversify manufacturing capabilities in certain regions

Identify what makes sense to have a robust supply chain domestically, e.g., 5G, 6G, medical, aerospace, obviously defense, banking infrastructures

Travis stresses that there are ways to reduce the overall cost of PCB and electronics production and still manufacture domestically

Looking at the entire ecosystem and pointing out vulnerabilities outside of just chips and advanced packaging, how to address each one?

Focus on a balanced approach, not over-indexing; strategically, where does it make sense to build brick and mortar to have a resilient, robust, and trusted supply chain?

What does it mean to bring manufacturing onshore?

Building a strategic and competitive PCB industry ecosystem requires more than just automated facilities; it’s also essential to invest on:

Workforce development – hiring and building up a talented workforce domestically

Promote STEM in schools

Create awareness of PCB industry design and manufacturing as part of the sought after career in tech

Travis gives insight into the new legislation introduced in the US Congress: Bipartisan Bill to Bring Electronics Manufacturing to America and Strengthen Supply Chains

He emphasizes the importance of understanding the root cost of the imbalanced supply chain vs. addressing just the symptoms

Continue to educate the Whitehouse on understanding the issue extensively and not just focusing on the semiconductor shortages

Considering the cost of the end products (for consumers) when navigating and drawing solutions

The role of the Printed Circuit Board Association of America (PCBAA) in the industry: educate, advocate and legislate

Links and Resources:

Connect with Travis Kelly on LinkedIn

Follow PCBAA on LinkedIn

Visit Isola Group’s website

Eshoo & Moore Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Bring Electronics Manufacturing to America and Strengthen Supply Chains

Connect with Zach on LinkedIn

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Altium 365: Where the World Designs Electronics

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By Altium LLC.

2121 ratings

June 08, 2022

The Benefits of Diversifying PCB Industry Supply Chain

33 minutes

To develop a resilient ecosystem, understanding the root cause of the PCB industry supply chain shortages is a must.

Tune in, or listen on the go. Stay up to date with the latest discussion in the PCB Industry.

Altium 365: Where the World Designs Electronics

Watch the video, click here. t

Show Highlights:

Travis's introduction and a brief overview of PCB manufacturing and fabrication in the United States

About 20 years ago, the US produced roughly 26% of the world's PCBs; today, that number is down to 4%

There used to be over 2000 fabricators in the late 1990s and early 2000 to less than 140 today

What are the main drivers of the PCB industry supply chain shift?

The industry recognizes the benefits of working in a global economy; Travis explained the need to diversify manufacturing capabilities in certain regions

Identify what makes sense to have a robust supply chain domestically, e.g., 5G, 6G, medical, aerospace, obviously defense, banking infrastructures

Travis stresses that there are ways to reduce the overall cost of PCB and electronics production and still manufacture domestically

Looking at the entire ecosystem and pointing out vulnerabilities outside of just chips and advanced packaging, how to address each one?

Focus on a balanced approach, not over-indexing; strategically, where does it make sense to build brick and mortar to have a resilient, robust, and trusted supply chain?

What does it mean to bring manufacturing onshore?

Building a strategic and competitive PCB industry ecosystem requires more than just automated facilities; it’s also essential to invest on:

Workforce development – hiring and building up a talented workforce domestically

Promote STEM in schools

Create awareness of PCB industry design and manufacturing as part of the sought after career in tech

Travis gives insight into the new legislation introduced in the US Congress: Bipartisan Bill to Bring Electronics Manufacturing to America and Strengthen Supply Chains