This weeks edition of Global Insight
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May 20, 2025 
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Featured Content

Lead or Lag? The U.S. Imperative in the Global Chip Race

IPC has released a new report detailing the scale of U.S. semiconductor investments and the growing risks of falling behind the global competition.

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Industry News

IPC Hosts Industry Leaders and Signs Strategic MOUs in Taipei

On May 16, 2025, IPC hosted a high-level Industry Leaders Luncheon in Taipei, bringing together nearly 60 prominent representatives from government agencies, industry associations, and leading enterprises to explore trends and strategic opportunities shaping the future of electronics manufacturing.

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Harnessing Connections: EWPTE 2025 Draws Nearly 3,000 Attendees

The 2025 Electrical Wire Processing Technology Expo (EWPTE), held May 6-8 at Baird Center in Milwaukee, Wis., provided 2,994 attendees the opportunity to meet, network and learn from the industry leading innovators and suppliers.

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New Courses Strengthen Industry Knowledge in Component Identification

As electronics manufacturing continues to evolve, so too does the need for a well-trained, knowledgeable workforce. One essential skill—especially for those working on printed circuit board (PCB) assembly lines—is the ability to identify a wide range of electronic components accurately and efficiently.

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Tax Policy Update: What’s in the House Tax Bill — and What It Means for Electronics Manufacturers

Last week, the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee advanced a major tax package that includes several provisions supported by IPC. These provisions — including restoring bonus depreciation, immediate R&D expensing, and strengthening the pass-through deduction — were identified by IPC members as key tools that would help them invest, grow, and compete more effectively.

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IPC White Paper Maps the Regulatory Terrain for Electronics Suppliers in E-Mobility Sector

Electronics suppliers supporting the rapidly growing e-mobility sector are facing a dramatic escalation in environmental and social governance (ESG) compliance expectations.

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Reflections from Circularity 25: Moving from Why to How

Recently, IPC Sustainability Program Manager Seth Jacobsen attended Circularity 25 in Denver—a gathering of professionals working to advance circular solutions across industries. With hundreds of voices at the intersection of design, policy, technology, and business, the message was clear: Circularity is not just an environmental imperative—it’s a smart business strategy.

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Industry Coalition Calls for EC Strategy on Electronics Ecosystem

This week, IPC and a coalition of European associations representing hundreds of companies across the EU sent a joint letter to European Commission Executive Vice President Henna Virkkunen, urging a broader approach to industrial policy beyond semiconductors.

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Calculating the ROI of Training: A Step-by-Step Guide

Measuring the effectiveness of training requires a systematic approach to data collection and analysis. Here’s a step-by-step guide to calculating the ROI of your training programs.

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Building Bridges and Setting Standards: How a Small Group of Pioneers Transformed the Wire Harness Industry

The Wiring Harness Manufacturer’s Association (WHMA) is a testament to the power of collaboration, vision, and a shared commitment to industry excellence.

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Leadership That Inspires Change

I-Connect007’s Barry Matties shares insights into a career driven by passion, creativity and mentorship.

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Play a Role in the Future of the Electronics Industry

Are you ready to capitalize on what is next and join our team of dedicated, skilled and enthusiastic employees? Here are current job openings:
• Standards Development Manager, Taiwan Region
• Master IPC Trainer (MIT), Taiwan Region
• Chief Information Officer

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My Top Three Reads

This week's picks from Matt Kelly

Chief Technology Officer and Vice President, IPC Technology Solutions

My top three reads this month explore key trends shaping electronics in 2025: next-generation EDA tools for chip-package-PCB integration, AI-driven advances in manufacturing operations, and the gradual but steady adoption of recycled plastics in electronic products. These themes—design innovation, intelligent automation, and sustainable materials—are top of mind for me as we move through the year's first half.​​​​​

1. Cadence to Buy Artisan to Support Chiplet, 3D IC Future – Cadence’s acquisition of Arm’s Artisan IP is a move that strengthens their position in the chiplet and 3D-IC space. This gives them essential building blocks to support the industry's shift toward modular, multi-die integration. It's a pivotal step that will accelerate innovation in advanced semiconductor design.

2. Foxconn Builds FoxBrain, Its Own AI Model – Foxconn, the world's largest contract electronics manufacturer, has developed its own AI model named FoxBrain, trained in just four weeks. The system is designed to enhance manufacturing and supply-chain operations. Foxconn plans to open-source the model to foster industry-wide collaboration.

3. Recycled Plastics in the Electronics Supply Chain – This article highlights how recycled plastics, including e-waste and Styrofoam, are being transformed into usable materials for electronics manufacturing. These innovations support sustainability while strengthening supply chain resilience and reducing dependence on virgin plastics. 
 

IPC Events and Education Calendar – For Your 2025 Planning

Plan your professional development with IPC’s Programs Calendar. Maximize your time and efforts by coordinating your schedule with ours.

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Help Build the Industry’s Future: Become an IPC Emerging Engineer or Mentor

IPC launched the Emerging Engineer program in 2016 to provide professionals early in their careers an opportunity to learn from the dedicated industry volunteers who participate in standards development.

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Tech Question of the Week

Scratches on Insulated Metal Materials

Is there an IPC standard that provides requirements on the acceptable depth of a scratch on insulated metal materials (MS)?

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IPC Member Milestones

BlueRing Stencils (Windsor, Colo.) celebrated its 25th year as an IPC member. See other companies celebrating membership anniversaries. 

Member Anniversaries 

New Members

Invest in your company by joining IPC and experience the membership benefits of the industry’s premier global association. Learn more about IPC membership.

IPC Events
IPC Hand Soldering Competition 2025 Regional Qualification - Italy
May 21-22, 2025

Scope 3 Greenhouse Gas Disclosure in the Electronics Industry
May 22, 2025

Road to Reliability: Design for Reliability - a Technology Solutions Webinar Series for e-Mobility Electronics Hardware Reliability
May 22, 2025

IPC EMS Advocacy Day and Public Policy Roundtable
June 3-4, 2025

IPC Day Mil-Aero Toulouse
June 4-5, 2025

Omnibus Package on Sustainability Reporting - What Should the Electronics Industry Expect
June 5, 2025

Understanding PCB Microsection Preparation and Analysis 101
June 18, 2025

Component-to-System Level Packaging - Addressing Integration Challenges for Automotive & Industrial Applications
July 2, 2025

IPC WorksAsia-AI & Factory of the Future
August 22, 2025

IPC Builds-Standards Development Committee Meetings
September 13-18, 2025

IPC CEMAC 2025
September 24-26, 2025

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Barb Hockaday
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+1 916-365-1727


Editorial Content
Sandy Gentry
SandyGentry@ipc.org
+1 847-597-2871

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