From IPC to Global Electronics Association: Connecting The Electronics Manufacturing Supply Chain, with CEO John Mitchell

EMS@C-LEVEL · 23 Jun 2025 · 9m

What this episode covers

John Mitchell, President and CEO of the Global Electronics Association (formerly IPC), explains the organization's rebranding to better reflect its global scope and comprehensive role in the electronics ecosystem. He details the strategic shift from a US-centric printed circuit board association to a unified voice representing everyone from semiconductor manufacturers to OEMs, aiming to build a resilient supply chain. Mitchell highlights significant investments in advocacy, industry intelligence, and communications to support both global standards and regional manufacturing capabilities.

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • The Manufacturing Executive · 21m

    How Technology is Changing the Manufacturing Game w/ Dr. John Mitchell

    Dr. John Mitchell, President & CEO of IPC (the Global Electronics Industry Association), discusses the transformation of manufacturing from manual labor to high-tech operations. He highlights IPC's initiatives like IPC Edge for scalable workforce training and the Factory of the Future program, which helps manufacturers adopt AI and automation without massive capital expenditure. Mitchell also addresses the current semiconductor supply chain crisis, attributing it to the rapid shift in automotive production during the pandemic, and outlines IPC's engagement with government policy on semiconductors and infrastructure.

  • OnTrack · 32m

    What to Expect at IPC APEX 2025: Standards, Innovation & Networking

    Dr. John W. Mitchell, President and CEO of IPC, discusses IPC APEX 2025, describing it as North America's largest electronics manufacturing event that combines an exhibition, technical conferences, and standards development. He highlights the event's focus on workforce development, including the new Learning Lounge and the Emerging Engineer Program, to address the industry's aging workforce and skills gap. The conversation also covers emerging technologies like Ultra-High Density Interconnect (UHDI) and advanced packaging, noting the challenges of reshoring this capacity to the US despite government investments from the CHIPS Act.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 06m

    Trade Show or Conference?

    Chris Gammell of Golioth returns from Embedded World and discusses the state of electronics trade shows, contrasting the engineer-focused Embedded World with the sales-heavy Electronica and the high-speed PCB focus of DesignCon. Dave Jones and Gammell debate the viability of organizing industry events, the decline of US-based conferences, and the enduring value of physical browsing compared to webinars. They also cover the Raspberry Pi Pico W's programmable I/O features, the impact of component shortages on brand loyalty, and the closure of Zachtronics.

  • OnTrack · 33m

    The Critical Shift: Bridging the Generational Gap in PCB Design

    Cory Blaylock, Director of Workforce Partnerships at IPC, discusses the critical generational gap in the electronics manufacturing industry caused by the retirement of experienced workers who gained their skills before manufacturing moved offshore. He details IPC's new Department of Labor-approved national apprenticeship program, designed to provide a standardized 'plug-and-play' model for employers to upskill workers and attract new talent through high school and community college partnerships. Blaylock highlights the shift in perception of manufacturing from 'dirty jobs' to high-tech STEM careers and explains how stackable apprenticeships can lead to engineering roles or frontline leadership.

  • IoT For All Podcast · 21m

    The Importance of Global Standard for IoT Security | ioXt Alliance's Grace Burkard | Internet of Things Podcast

    Grace Burkard, Director of Operations at the ioXt Alliance, explains the organization's mission to provide a global standard for IoT security through its certification program. She details the two certification paths—third-party lab testing and self-attestation—and the importance of harmonized standards to help manufacturers navigate fragmented regulatory landscapes. Burkard highlights challenges such as the lack of global standard recognition and the evolving threat landscape, emphasizing the need for continuous firmware updates and ecosystem-wide security.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by EMS@C-LEVEL. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.