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36 SMT007 MAGAZINE I NOVEMBER 2024 turers dominate. is focus on high-reliabil- ity sectors has allowed the U.S. PCB industry to thrive even as lower-cost production has migrated to Asia. However, the shadow of global competition looms. e rise of China, Taiwan, and South Korea as major players in the PCB market has changed the status of the PCB industry. ese countries benefit from lower labor costs, state- of-the-art facilities, and government support, which collectively allow them to offer PCBs at prices that American manufacturers oen struggle to match. is price pressure has led to a significant contraction in the number of PCB manufactur- ers in the United States. Many small- to mid- sized companies have been either acquired or exited the market. ose that remain have had to adapt by focusing on high-margin, low-vol- ume production runs, oen involving complex designs requiring a level of expertise and cus- tomization not easily replicated in high-vol- ume overseas factories. But as always, American PCB companies have doubled down on innovation in response to these challenges. ey are at the forefront of developing new materials, processes, and design techniques. For instance, the push toward miniaturization and the increasing complexity of electronic devices has spurred the development of advanced PCB technolo- gies, such as high-density interconnect (HDI) boards, flexible and rigid-flex circuits, and PCBs designed for high-frequency applica- tions. Moreover, American companies are heav- ily involved in the development of PCBs for emerging technologies like 5G, electric vehi- cles, and renewable energy systems. ese sectors demand PCBs that can handle higher power loads, more complex signal process- ing, and increased environmental stress—chal- lenges that American manufacturers are well- equipped to meet due to their deep technical expertise and focus on quality. American innovation also extends to pro- cesses. Automation, digital twin, and advanced manufacturing techniques, such as additive manufacturing, are increasingly being adopted in U.S. PCB facilities. ese technologies help reduce production costs, improve quality con- trol, and shorten lead times, which are critical factors in staying competitive in a fast-paced global market. Another critical lesson I have learned from the American PCB industry is the importance of supply chain resilience. e COVID-19 pan- demic exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains, particularly in the electronics indus- try, which relies on a steady flow of raw materi- als and components. American PCB manufac- turers—many of which source materials glob- ally—faced significant disruptions that affected their ability to meet delivery deadlines. is experience has led to a renewed focus on building more resilient, localized supply chains. While it's not feasible for all materials to be sourced domestically, there is a grow- ing trend toward securing critical components and materials from North American suppli- ers. Additionally, some companies are invest- ing in vertical integration, bringing more of the production process in-house to reduce depen- dency on external suppliers. " e rise of China, Taiwan, and South Korea as major players in the PCB market has changed the status of the PCB industry. "