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

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

My husband and I recently became empty-nesters (again), and it’s an interesting dynamic when you aren’t arranging your daily routines around your kids’ schedules and lives. You don’t feel as rushed, and you can turn your attention to some other things that have been put on hold, but you also feel a little melancholy about the changes, and you hope you’ve instilled enough of your wisdom into your children before they move away.

I guess that’s why Jennie Hwang’s column in SMT007 Magazine really felt personal to me. In it, she writes to her grandson, who is about to leave for college, as a whole world opens up to him. As parents and grandparents, we know all about the opportunities and the struggles, and we want to share everything we’ve learned. While this column may not be related to electronics, it’s certainly relatable!

Elsewhere this week, Nolan Johnson brings back some encouraging news from SMTA International, the November SMT007 Magazine tackles the challenges of sourcing, Leo Lambert takes us inside standards development in Paris, and Marcy LaRont explores Thailand's growing PCB manufacturing industry. From Chicago to Paris to Thailand, we've gone around the world and back again.

SMTA 2026 Review: A Seriously Productive Affair
Published November 5

We’re right in the middle of trade show season and SMTA just hosted its biggest event of the year. Nolan Johnson spent three days on the show floor, talking to as many exhibitors as he could and he brings back this report on what he saw and heard (Note: It’s really good news). Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing some of Nolan’s interviews, so for now, read up on how it all went down.

November SMT007 Magazine Explores the New Age of Sourcing
Published November 3

We’re tackling a topic that touches every single EMS provider: sourcing. In this “new age” of sourcing, we’re learning that while it has become more complex, there are also new ways to take control. This issue examines software tools for material management, cleaner and more consistent data, and the true costs of tariffs. The experts explore how better information can improve purchasing, inventory, decisions, and supply chain planning.

SMT Perspectives & Prospects: What I Hope the Next Generation Will Carry Forward
Published November 4

Dr. Jennie Hwang recently wrote a note to her first college-bound grandson, sharing some observations that she’s gathered from her own book of life. “The older I become, the more I realize that the most meaningful things we can pass on are not possessions, accomplishments, or even answers,” she writes. “I want to offer encouragement, perhaps a few words of wisdom, and some lessons that life taught me.” Do you agree with her list? What would you add to it?

Learning With Leo: Observations from IPC Builds in Paris
Published November 4

Standards development may not sound like the most exciting reason to visit Paris, but the work happening at IPC Builds has a direct impact on electronics manufacturing. EPTAC Technical Director Leo Lambert attended the recent meetings and shares his observations on updates and discussions involving soldering, inspection, PCB acceptability, and wire harness assembly. These are the standards manufacturers rely on every day, and Leo offers a look at the people and conversations helping shape their future.

FSQuality in Thailand: From Automotive and Industrial Controls to AI and Optical Modules
Published November 5

How quickly can a PCB factory get up and running in Thailand, and what does it take to compete in today's global market? Those were among the questions Marcy LaRont and ECIO explored during visits to three PCB manufacturers, including FSQuality. These interviews reveal how companies are building capacity, serving different markets, and responding to the growing demand for manufacturing outside China. It's an interesting look inside Thailand's expanding PCB industry, with lessons that extend well beyond the country's borders.