84 SMT007 MAGAZINE I APRIL 2025
"The EMS sector saw a pickup in bookings in the
last month, bringing the strongest book-to-bill ratio
since May 2024," said Shawn DuBravac, IPC's chief
economist. "While year-to-date trends remain down
for 2025, demand continues at a robust pace."
TOP TEN
EDITOR'S
PICKS
In light of ongoing climate
challenges, the electronics industry
is poised for a transformative shift
driven by heightened consumer
and corporate awareness of
sustainable practices and circularity.
INEMI (International Electronics
Manufacturing Initiative) enlisted
the help of the electronics industry
to roadmap that transformation in
electronics manufacturing. This
article provides an overview of the
resulting sustainable electronics
roadmap and how to get involved.
Roadmapping Sustainability:
Paving the Way for Eco-
friendly Electronics
Standards Driving Factory of the Future
Thomas Marktscheffel is enthusiastic about what
is possible today with manufacturing's use of data
and how that is an evolved vision for Factory of the
Future. Though this industry buzz phrase is currently
focused solely on EMS, it is reflective of what is
coming for PCB fabricators as well.
North American EMS Industry
Up 1.7% in February
Finding Strength Through Laughter: IPC Women
in Electronics Reception Inspires and Engages
The IPC APEX EXPO 2025 Women in Electronics Reception
brought together women for an insightful presentation by
keynote speaker Jody Urquhart, a motivational speaker,
comedienne, and author. A central theme of Urquhart's talk
was the challenge of belonging in male-dominated work environments. She encouraged women
to embrace their natural strengths—empathy, compassion, and emotional intelligence– not only
foster stronger connections but also enhance leadership effectiveness.
