Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1521713
JUNE 2024 I SMT007 MAGAZINE 43 "factories of the future," or they will become irrelevant in global competi- tion. Already, we have DoD primes tell- ing us, "We can't use the latest and great- est chips because we can't source a board domestically that can accommodate those chips." As I said earlier, that's not a future problem. at's a today problem. So, the U.S. needs to build up its capabilities and capacities to serve the defense market. 2. We need to figure out if there's a way to boost commercial demand for U.S.-made electronics. e PCBS Act would incen- tivize the sourcing of U.S.-made electron- ics with a tax break for such purchases. It's a necessary part of the policy prescription because if you solve the demand problem that solves a lot of other problems. 3. Foster trusted supply chains. IPC-1791 defines what vendors must do to be con- sidered "trusted suppliers" to DoD. e DoD has adopted it as a standard, but very few procurement officers are using it. If we're really serious about securing the electronics supply chain, this is low-hang- ing fruit. 4. ere's the need for investment in R&D, because whatever exists today is going to be insufficient for tomorrow. 5. ere's a need to build up the skilled work- force, because we don't even have enough skilled workers today, much less to match an expansion in output. IPC has a detailed action plan for expanding the talent pipe- line, and both government and industry have key roles to play. e focus is less on filling specific jobs and more on creating career pathways. ose are the core actions that countries with deficiencies in their electronics ecosys- tems should be taking. Which of those five core action areas is most important and doable? It's hard to say; there's no one "silver bul- let." But I would say that most governments in the West are not aware of how vulnerable their countries are to supply chain disruptions. We have worked to educate policymakers about it, but it's been very difficult because this is com- plicated stuff that most people don't under- stand. I think solving the demand problem offers the great long-term benefit to the industry, but strengthening the workforce offers the most immediate and likely win from government. Again though, there's no one silver bullet. e is a multifaceted problem that will require a long-term, constant effort. Where do you see the most progress? In the U.S., the greatest energy is at the DoD on PCBs, and more recently, on IC sub- strates. ere is also awareness at the National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program (NAPMP). But if you look at what's happening and what's getting funded, a lot of the energy is coming out of DoD, because these are near- term problems for them. Chris Mitchell