IPC International Community magazine an association member publication
Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1545404
108 I-CONNECT007 MAGAZINE I JUNE 2026 BY M AT T ST E V E N S O N , AS C S U N STO N E C I RC U I TS P CB manufacturing has become more com- plex, not only to meet the growing need for more advanced, smaller boards, but also to address supply chain disruptions and uncertainty about the cost of critical raw materials. This environ- ment makes it harder for our customers, too. Rela- tively straightforward decisions about choosing a PCB manufacturer have become more challenging. Established paradigms, such as "offshore manu- facturing is cheaper," are not as reliable as they once were. A variety of risk factors, including trade policy and shortages of critical supplies, have added uncertainty. The seemingly simple value equation of "function plus quality divided by cost" now includes more variables, greater risk, and po- tential hidden costs. PCB Manufacturing Focused on Value C O N N ECT T H E D OTS