Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1543584
12 SMT007 MAGAZINE I MARCH 2026 27 countries and multiple political parties, and that takes time. The process does not easily lend itself to adapting at the same speed at which the world is changing. Is there room for more focused momentum to accomplish this? Absolutely. But how to do that? There was defi- nitely recognition that the European Union's indus- trial base has been eroding across the board over time. Not just with electronics, the industrial manu- facturing base has been eroding. Energy prices are high, and other regions are subsidizing and support- ing their industries in a way that the European Union doesn't. Shifting alliances are taking place, the world is changing very quickly, and if you don't have the structure to rapidly adapt, that becomes difficult. We constantly highlight the need for speed and action. We reiterate the need to act, but there is no easy mechanism because you still have a 27-member state structure. Everyone has to point in the same direction and then agree to move in that direction. Do you see consensus developing? Is this work bringing a more unified perspective on how to move forward? We definitely see it at the European Union and Commission levels: a much greater understanding of the electronics ecosystem because of the work we have been doing over the past few years. The work is never done. At the Brussels and Euro- pean Commission levels, we've done a lot, and I definitely saw it reflected in their understanding, but we're not finished because there are so many parties in so many countries. What do you hope to accomplish this year? We are focused on getting the right measures in place under the European Chips Act. If that is not the right instrument, then we need another one that will support the electronics value chain. We want procurement rules that lend themselves to support- ing critical industries and capacities in electron- ics manufacturing for areas like defense. We need recognition and support for local industries. That will be our focus this year, but it goes beyond a calen- dar year when you look at any legislative process in the European Union. Of course. Anything that requires us to build this much infrastructure and coordinate this much cap- ital investment is certainly not a 12-month process. We're talking years of work. We are, but this is a critical time, and certainly this year as they look at what is needed for defense, and the Chips Act. This is when many of the areas we've been talking about come together, and we are keeping up the pressure to keep electronics and the ecosystem in the spotlight, so that as they roll out measures and programs, they're consider- ing the strategic nature of electronics. How hopeful are you that this will all work out? We will keep going until they do. What we have less control over is the very differing views of the 27 member states. (Ultimately, it has to be a consensus among all of these parties). Analysts report that much of the capital investment in PCB manufacturing is in Eastern Europe. What are your thoughts on PCBs and electronics assem- bly as a growth opportunity for some of the smaller EU member states? This is a European industry. It's not just a couple of big companies concentrated in one or two member states. This is a vitally important ecosystem spread across the European Union. We've explained to the Commission that this is a network, with many SMEs and a number of mid-caps across the European Union. This is a key moment, and we are making the case for policies that will support a regional electronics industrial base for critical industries, as well as the needed supply chains globally, because we also need that for our critical industries. We see things are starting to shift. They're now looking at critical indus- tries; they're recognizing that there is more beyond semiconductors. The coming years will be key to building on the foundation we've already laid. I've definitely seen a shift over the past couple of years; there was no question. I can say I never would've imagined the European Commission thinking in terms of electronic systems before this. Alison, thank you. My pleasure. SMT007