Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1513227
36 PCB007 MAGAZINE I DECEMBER 2023 Johnson: There seems to be a lot of wake-up happening in our industry now, with the CHIPS Act and other government initiatives for electronics. Are you hopeful for the industry in the U.S.? I believe that the success of the PCB industry in the U.S. relies heavily on the support from our customers and their customers, making it a pivotal aspect of the entire ecosystem. Achieving comprehensive progress in the U.S. necessitates holistic support. e key question we need to address is how we can enhance our purchasing efficiency to achieve better unit costs and implement more effective automa- tion. To rebuild the U.S. PCB industry, it is crucial to recognize that we have to create a balance of automation and human know-how to keep moving the process technology for- ward. We are surrounded by high mix, low vol- ume, so adopting automation techniques from international markets won't lead to the best outcomes. A notable limitation in the U.S. is the ab- sence of a robust PCB equipment market, which significantly constrains our capabili- ties. We have to rely on global suppliers, and we all share in the challenges of machine up- time, slow and delayed response from equip- ment suppliers, challenges in procurement, and fabrication process customization. In con- trast, regions like India and China benefit from having local equipment manufacturers, offer- ing more cost-effective solutions than those typically sourced from North American or European suppliers. e cost factor plays a substantial role in determining our ability to grow as an industry. Having recently invested in 62 pieces of equipment, I stand by each purchase, as they were intended to build highly advanced prod- ucts with an automation mindset and recipe- driven processes for consistency. e right equipment is integral to achieving a favorable return on investment (ROI). e U.S. lacks domestic manufacturers, making it difficult to scale effectively, especially when faced with lead times of eight to 12 months and sometimes even two years on critical pieces of equipment. is poses a significant hurdle to the overall in- dustry's ability to sustain growth. In my upcoming trip to ailand, Vietnam, and South Korea, I aim to explore the expan- sion trends in these regions. is exploration is vital to understanding the evolving landscape and potential opportunities for growth and collaboration in the PCB industry, and for us to better support the electronic supply chain from idea to maturity. Johnson: Right. Developing electronics man- ufacturing in a new area seems to come in three phases. The first phase seems to be