I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
May 16, 2025 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Well, progress is being made on resetting trade agreements. There was plenty of coverage in the mainstream news this week on the topic of trade agreements, including Monday's announcement of a trade agreement with China. I don’t see any evidence that we're done yet with the see-sawing global supply chain dynamic, and there will still be knock-on effects we haven't anticipated. But there is hope that things will get better rather than worse.
My picks for the week include—as a complement to the trade agreement news—SEMI's public support of a bill including new tax credit eligibility for semiconductor manufacturers. This provision feels quite similar to the current PCB investment bill that's been introduced to the current Congress; here’s hoping Congress takes a more holistic approach to electronics manufacturing.
I highlight a market report on OSAT manufacturers worldwide. It’s worth a read for you supply chain experts. Two of our columnists this week wrote complementary pieces on active listening and problem-solving with your customers—it's always good to keep up with the foundational skills. Finally, a piece on manufacturing investments in India. Regional build-out is clearly a global shift in thinking.
SEMI Applauds New Bill to Clarify Tax Credit Eligibility for Critical Semiconductor Suppliers Under U.S. CHIPS Act
Published May 12
This feels quite similar to the current PCB investment bill that's been introduced to the current Congress. With a lot of uncertainty about the future of the CHIPS Act under the Trump administration, I can see why legislators are eager to introduce new legislation to keep electronics manufacturing front and center.
Top 10 OSAT Companies of 2024 Revealed—China Players See Double-Digit Growth, Reshaping the Global Market Landscape
Published May 13
New developments in OSAT and advanced packaging are emerging as technology drivers for the assembly line, especially for EMS companies. This Trendforce report summarizes the conflicting forces in the OSAT space: demand growth and provider consolidation. See how the main players in the OSAT space are jockeying for position and niche in this report.
It’s Only Common Sense: Stop Pitching, Start Listening
Published May 12
Dan Beaulieu’s column tackles the fine art of active listening. For example, Dan writes, “It’s about forming genuine connections through open-ended questions that demonstrate curiosity and empathy. These questions show your customer you’re interested in helping them succeed.” You can’t hear their pain points if you’re the one doing the talking.
Fresh PCB Concepts: The Power of a Lunch & Learn for PCB Professionals
Published May 15
It’s a moment of I-Connect007 Zen when our columnists line up on complementary topics. In this case, NCAB’s Michael Marshall and Dan Beaulieu both had similar thoughts. One way to develop a thriving environment for active listening is to follow Michael Marshall’s guidelines for Lunch & Learn customer visits. Seriously, engineers have a special appreciation for a good mid-day meal and a technical discussion Learn more about Michael’s winning formula here.
Indian Government Establishes Panel for New National Manufacturing Mission
Published May 14
Creating (or revitalizing) electronics manufacturing at the regional level is a global trend, and India is investing in its own manufacturing infrastructure. According to the article, manufacturing makes up about 16–17% of India’s GDP, and the Indian government is looking to increase that share.
Suggested Items
TTCI Joins Printed Circuit Engineering Association to Strengthen Design-to-Test Collaboration and Workforce Development
07/09/2025 | The Test Connection Inc.The Test Connection Inc. (TTCI), a leading provider of electronic test and manufacturing solutions, is proud to announce its membership in the Printed Circuit Engineering Association (PCEA), further expanding the company’s efforts to support cross-functional collaboration, industry standards, and technical education in the printed circuit design and manufacturing community.
GlobalFoundries to Acquire MIPS to Accelerate AI and Compute Capabilities
07/09/2025 | GlobalFoundriesGlobalFoundries announced a definitive agreement to acquire MIPS, a leading supplier of AI and processor IP. This strategic acquisition will expand GF’s portfolio of customizable IP offerings, allowing it to further differentiate its process technologies with IP and software capabilities.
LITEON Technology Reports Consolidated June Sales of NT$13.6 Billion, Up 16% Y-o-Y
07/08/2025 | LITEON TechnologyLITEON Technology reported its June consolidated revenue of NT$13.6 billion. Thanks to the growth from power management in cloud computing, advanced server, and networking, the revenue is up 2% M-o-M, 16% Y-o-Y. The cumulative sales for January to June totaled NT$76.8 billion, up 24%, Y-o-Y.
Inside Aimtron’s Cross-border EMS Strategy
07/08/2025 | Nolan Johnson, SMT007 MagazineMukesh Vasani immigrated from a very small farming village in India to the U.S. in 1995 as a civil engineer. After shifting into electronics, Mukesh built his Chicago-based company, Aimtron, into a successful enterprise by combining quality with competitive pricing. He leveraged his roots in India to expand manufacturing without compromising on quality.
Be the Partner Engineers Can Rely On
07/08/2025 | Nolan Johnson, SMT007 MagazineGreen Circuits’ unique niche in the electronics manufacturing industry comes partly from its location in Silicon Valley, but also from its specialty of serving up quick-turn prototypes and low-volume work with high-complexity production. In this conversation, CEO Michael Hinshaw emphasizes the value of end-to-end services, especially while the pace of R&D development is accelerating amidst a growing demand for complexity across industries.