76 SMT007 MAGAZINE I OCTOBER 2023
There are still too many people who are wary of global sourcing. It's
as though they feel using global sourcing means they are cheating in
some way, that they're being disloyal to domestic suppliers. Honestly,
I can see why some people feel that way, but it just doesn't make any
sense.
Fresh off his annual
meeting with the
Printed Circuit Board
Association of Amer-
ica (PCBAA), Travis
Kelly, CEO at Isola
Group and chair-
man of the PCBAA, gave us an update on gov-
ernment legislation in the United States that
directly and indirectly affects the printed cir-
cuit board industry. Travis was candid in his
remarks about funding from the CHIPS Act,
what the PCB industry needs to do, and how a
bill reintroduced into Congress this year might
be just the ticket we need.
In the last
couple of years,
exacerbated
by the chaos of
the COVID-19
pandemic, the
uncomfortable reality is that many manu-
facturers are not well prepared to properly
deal with and respond to last minute
changes in the supply chain, worker
availability, or major swings in customer
demand. Many of you likely have a painful
story or two about scrambling to address
unexpected changes in the production
plan and schedule over the last few years.
Global Sourcing Spotlight:
Why We Need Global Sourcing
CHIPS Act, One Year On
Manufacturing Isn't Linear;
Stop Planning That Way
TOP TEN
EDITOR'S
PICKS
The SMTA is proud to honor the 2023 "Members of Distinction"
award recipients who have shown exceptional dedication to the
association and the electronics manufacturing industry.
SMTA 'Members of Distinction' Awards
Announced
Bob Duke
