Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1513227
66 PCB007 MAGAZINE I DECEMBER 2023 What a difference a year makes. In 2023, we saw remarkable progress toward securing crit- ical supply chains and laying the groundwork to rebuild our defense industrial base and crit- ical infrastructure. e passage of the CHIPS Act has spurred a deeper conversation about America's dependence on foreign sourcing and motivated our leaders to act aer 30 years of complacency. America invented the microelectronics that power the modern world, but over the past three decades we ceded our leadership in man- ufacturing these technologies to other nations. Twenty-five years ago, we produced 30% of the world's supply of printed circuit boards. Today that number is down to 4%. Commensurately, the number of domestic PCB manufacturers has decreased from 2,500 to only 145 compa- nies today. is manufacturing deficit creates a supply chain risk for everyday technologies as well as those critical to national security appli- cations. Here are the major developments we've seen this year: 1 In March, the President designated printed circuit boards and substrates as critical technologies under the Defense Production Act. is declaration drops red tape, creates funding vehicles inside the Defense Depart- ment, and allows the government to move faster to invest in and acquire critical micro- electronics. For example, in November, DPA funding flowed to Calumet Electronics to help them produce high density build-up substrates. PCBAA and IPC continue to lead an effort in Moving the Needle for Microelectronics in 2023 American Made Advocacy by Travis Kelly, PCBAA