I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
April 4, 2025 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Many times these introductions to the Friday Top 5 are light-hearted. This week, however, my comments are a little more considered, more thoughtful. There was big news throughout the week on a global economic scale. Everything is moving so fast it’s hard to follow. I sat in on a webinar about the U.S. tariff changes announced on April 2, and even the policy wonks, whose life’s purpose is to be expert in these things, couldn’t keep up. One speaker was checking government information websites, and listening to the news on the television even as she gave her update.
That’s not to imply that all is “doom and gloom,” but simply to point out how quickly things are moving. I rather feels like the shifting staircases at Hogwarts, actually. It’s all still there, just moved all around. So, even if you read nothing else industry-related this week, read these five. We’ll see you next week.
North American PCB Industry Sales Up 11.3% in February
Published March 31
“Another exceptionally strong month of bookings has pushed the PCB Book-to-Bill ratio to a new all-time high, underscoring the strong demand momentum currently in the industry,” said Shawn DuBravac, IPC’s chief economist. While the press release doesn’t discuss the why or the how, clearly there has been building momentum in North American PCB fabrication. Question is, what happens under the new tariffs? Does this demand continue to increase, or will there be other forces in the changes?
IPC APEX EXPO 2025: We’ve Got It Covered
Published: April 1
IPC APEX EXPO is the largest electronics manufacturing trade show in North America, and I-Connect007 is at the heart of it. Our coverage is found in one easy-to-find location at Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2025 and you won’t want to miss any of our unique coverage. Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2025 is sponsored by Blackfox, Burkle North America, KYZEN, Mycronic, and Technica USA.
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2025: Tariffs and Supply Chains in U.S. Electronics Manufacturing
Published April 1
Chris Mitchell, VP of global government relations for IPC, discusses the group's concerns about tariffs on copper and their impact on U.S. electronics manufacturing. In light of the recent tariff changes announced by the U.S government, Mitchell’s perspective is especially valuable.
Statement from IPC on ‘Liberation Day’ Pressing for Domestic Manufacturing Strategy
Published April 3
In an open letter to the U.S administration, IPC issues a statement on the tariffs and their effect on the global economy. The letter reminds leadership that free trade continues to have a place even as the United States endeavours to rebuild a thriving manufacturing infrastructure.
IPC Releases March 2025 Global Sentiment of the Electronics Manufacturing Supply Chain Report
Published April 2
This past March, electronics industry demand strengthened to its highest level in nearly a year; the ease of recruiting skilled talent improved to a record-high, indicating that hiring constraints are continuing to ease for many firms; and material costs have risen, reversing a multi-month decline and pointing to renewed input cost pressures that may warrant monitoring. All this is a snapshot prior to the April 2 tariff changes, and worth a deeper read.
Suggested Items
Seeing a Future in Mexico
07/09/2025 | Michelle Te, I-Connect007The Global Electronics Association (formerly known as IPC) has been instrumental in fostering a partnership with Guanajuato, a state north of Mexico City with 12 industrial clusters and close to 150 companies involved in electronics. This past spring, Alejandro Hernández, the undersecretary for investment promotion in Guanajuato, attended IPC APEX EXPO 2025 at the invitation of IPC Mexico Director Lorena Villanueva, where he met with several companies to discuss the opportunities available in Mexico. He is inviting electronics-related companies seeking long-term investment in a centrally located area with access to highways, railways, and ports.
The Global Electronics Association Releases IPC-8911: First-Ever Conductive Yarn Standard for E-Textile Application
07/02/2025 | Global Electronics AssociationThe Global Electronics Association announces the release of IPC-8911, Requirements for Conductive Yarns for E-Textiles Applications. This first-of-its-kind global standard establishes a clear framework for classifying, designating, and qualifying conductive yarns—helping to address longstanding challenges in supply chain communication, product testing, and material selection within the growing e-textiles industry.
IPC-CFX, 2.0: How to Use the QPL Effectively
07/02/2025 | Chris Jorgensen, Global Electronics AssociationIn part one of this series, we discussed the new features in CFX Version 2.0 and their implications for improved inter-machine communication. But what about bringing this new functionality to the shop floor? The IPC-CFX-2591 QPL is a powerful technical resource for manufacturers seeking CFX-enabled equipment. The Qualified Product List (QPL) helps streamline equipment selection by listing models verified for CFX compliance through a robust third-party virtual qualification process.
The Knowledge Base: A Conference for Cleaning and Coating of Mission-critical Electronics
07/08/2025 | Mike Konrad -- Column: The Knowledge BaseIn electronics manufacturing, there’s a dangerous misconception that cleaning and coating are standalone options, that they operate in different lanes, and that one can compensate for the other. Let’s clear that up now. Cleaning and conformal coating are not separate decisions. They are two chapters in the same story—the story of reliability.
Advancing Aerospace Excellence: Emerald’s Medford Team Earns Space Addendum Certification
06/30/2025 | Emerald TechnologiesWe’re thrilled to announce a major achievement from our Medford, Oregon facility. Andy Abrigo has officially earned her credentials as a Certified IPC Trainer (CIT) under the IPC J-STD-001 Space Addendum, the leading industry standard for space and military-grade electronics manufacturing.