I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

I know, I promised I’d be back Aug. 8. But plans change, and here I am closing out July while Andy takes the baton next week. Honestly, I’m glad to be here this week because the stories we’re spotlighting say a lot about where the electronics industry stands and where it’s heading.

We start with the latest report from the Global Electronics Association: North American PCB sales are down 8.6% in June. That might sound grim, but keep reading—there’s more to the story. Bookings are holding steady, and Dr. Shawn DuBravac offers context that paints a more balanced picture.

Next, we turn our gaze to India, where mobile phone exports have surged 127-fold over the past decade. That stat alone says volumes about India’s emergence as a force in electronics manufacturing, something we’ll be digging into more deeply in an upcoming SMT007 feature.

Then there’s optimization on the shop floor, advocacy efforts from PCBAA, and a strong marketing column from Brittany Martin. That’s five stories, five vantage points, and one clear message: This industry isn’t slowing down. So let’s stay informed, stay proactive, and as always, stay connected.

North American PCB Industry Sales Down 8.6% in June 2025
Published July 28

While this decline certainly seems significant on the surface, bookings, at a ratio of 1.06, continue to show strength. Last year was particularly strong for shipments. Shawn DuBravac, chief economist for the Global Electronics Association, shares his sentiments about what this means and what you can expect. 

India’s Mobile Phone Exports Surge 127 Times in a Decade
Published July 28

This is just one of the news items that emphasize the emergence of India as a player in our industry. It’s taken some time, but expect to see India emerge as a key player in the global electronics manufacturing industry. You’ll see more in-depth coverage of the India market in an upcoming issue of SMT007 Magazine, and I look forward to sharing what we’re learning.

New Podcast Episode Drop: Optimize the Interconnect and the Future of HDI
Published July 28

Extending your manufacturing profitability and capability means constant optimization. MKS has been exploring strategies for optimization on the line. Chris Ryder shares compelling real-world examples that illustrate why Optimize the InterconnectSM is gaining traction across the industry.

American Made Advocacy: A Growing Presence in Washington in Turbulent Times
Published July 29

On the advocacy front, the PCBAA’s annual trip to Washington, D.C., brought together policymakers, OEMs, and supply chain champions for a full-court press on Capitol Hill. Shane Whiteside walks us through the week’s agenda, the conversations, and why this work matters now more than ever—especially with a 50% copper tariff looming.

From Attraction to Action: Where Marketing Ends and Sales Begins
Published July 29

Brittany Martin explains how to create that compelling call to action. “Many people think marketing and sales are the same, but while they’re closely connected, they play distinct roles,” she states, setting up the conversation to make the distinction clear. For more about how to build and sell your brand, read the July issue of PCB007 Magazine, and the August issue of SMT007 Magazine, which publishes this coming Monday, Aug. 4.