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Nolan’s Notes: Our Spotlight on North America

In this issue of SMT007 Magazine, we wrap up our electronics world tour with a final stop in the United States and Canada, where we look at the challenges, opportunities, and geopolitical dynamics affecting the market today. What makes American electronics unique?

“You can always count on the Americans to do the right thing, after they have exhausted all other possibilities,” said Winston Churchill (or at least it’s been attributed to him). Benjamin Franklin, publisher, inventor, and a Founding Father, said he invented so many things to make life easier because he was “industriously lazy.” As an American, I see how these observations describe our “do more with less” culture. You can count on us to try all the “industriously lazy” options before we do the often much harder, but proper, right thing. 

Which could explain so much about current American politics, but that’s a discussion for another day. Still, key U.S. administration policy decisions, like tariffs, are significantly affecting electronics manufacturing. Others, such as the current conflict with Iran and the associated closures of the Strait of Hormuz, affect the raw materials that feed our supply chain.

U.S. trade policy is seeking to accelerate the return of critical electronics manufacturing capabilities to U.S. soil, and no matter your opinion on the subject, we know that the U.S. and Canada are exposed when it comes to mission-critical manufacturing. We invited trade and tariff attorney James Kim to help us better understand the new policies, and he gets specific in his piece about Section 232: What is it, how will it be implemented, and how does it directly impact electronics manufacturing? His analysis is crisp, well-grounded in context, and includes practical responses for you to take away.

I’m also including an interview with Joe Schneider, vice president of U.S. and Canada operations for the Global Electronics Association. I talked with Joe at APEX EXPO 2026, where he laid out a mission to develop domestic manufacturing in both countries through stronger relationships with regional membership, customers, and partners.

You can’t talk about North American electronics without mentioning security, so I’m sharing the Real Time With… APEX EXPO cybersecurity roundtable discussion about CMMC. Like the experts say, “If you’re not already preparing for CMMC, you’re behind.”

Building a healthy electronics manufacturing ecosystem in North America will require skilled staff. We’ve got a great article about some Michigan folks who are introducing grade schoolers to electronics and manufacturing. Kids can’t pursue a career that they don’t know exists. Finally, we have a profile on Omega EMS, a rapidly growing San Jose-based EMS company that recently opened another factory in Vietnam. Let’s learn about their secret to success.

Elsewhere in this issue, Retronix, a rework company, writes about how to respond to the growing effect on the supply chain from the DRAM shortages. Columnist Nash Bell educates us on precision-milling underfills, among other topics.

In the automotive sector, we continue our series on EV reliability with Stanton Rak, and MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions’ Beth Massey takes an in-depth look at protecting advanced electronics in the trucking industry.

While retooling America seems to be taking a topsy-turvy route to success, there are so many positives to consider. We may try all sorts of “industriously lazy” programs, but they all ultimately lead to doing the right thing. Besides, what if that crazy solution turns out to be the right one?

 We’re always looking for your comments, feedback, and suggestions. What do you want us to investigate? Let us know at info@iconnect007.com.

This column originally appeared in the May 2026 issue of SMT007 Magazine.