SMT, PCB Electronics Industry News
  • SMTnet
  • »
  • Industry News
  • »
  • One-third of Printed Boards for U.S. Military Electronics are Made Outside North America

One-third of Printed Boards for U.S. Military Electronics are Made Outside North America

May 12, 2011

A market analysis prepared for the U.S. Air Force by IPC — Association Connecting Electronics Industries® shows an estimated one-third of all printed circuit boards (PCBs) for U.S. defense or military systems are produced outside North America.

Based on data from IPC's market research as well as data from N.T. Information and other electronics industry consultants, IPC’s analysis concluded that the value of the U.S. military market for PCBs is between $1.05 billion and $1.23 billion. Depending on the market size estimate used, between 27 and 39 percent of all PCBs in products sold to the U.S. military are manufactured outside North America.

"North America has a competent, competitive and organized supply base to support current and future Department of Defense (DoD) requirements for PCB technology," says Denny McGuirk, IPC president and CEO. "In IPC's Electronic Interconnect Industry Policy Recommendations to the DoD Printed Circuit Board Executive Agent, the industry recommends that DoD should also source non-critical technology from North American manufacturers to support a robust and technical advanced domestic supply base."

The policy recommendations report also notes that the North American PCB manufacturing base competes for very complex, high-tech DoD products that are characterized by very high material content, very long build cycles and very low yields. Greater prominence in fulfilling the DoD’s lower-technology needs would support a stronger infrastructure for North American manufacturers.

The critical importance of the North American PCB industry to strengthen and protect U.S. national security is one of three issues being addressed by attendees during IPC’s Capitol Hill Day, June 15–16, 2011, in Washington, D.C.

Capitol Hill Day participants will meet with members of Congress to educate them on the complexities of conflict minerals regulations as well as the impact of those regulations on their companies. They will also urge their legislators to address government over-regulation.

Participants will also network with other manufacturers and members of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) in shared social events and learn about technologies that represent the best opportunities to ensure a U.S. electronics manufacturer’s success. Attendees will find out how they can use government resources, such as federal procurement technical assistance, trade adjustment assistance grants, small-business innovation research grants and other resources to strengthen their businesses.

For more information or to register for IPC Capitol Hill Day, visit http://www.ipc.org/CHD. Due to scheduling deadlines for special events held in conjunction with NAM, IPC cannot accept registrations after June 9, 2011.


IPC (http://www.IPC.org) is a global trade association based in Bannockburn, Ill., dedicated to the competitive excellence and financial success of its 2,900 member companies which represent all facets of the electronics industry, including design, printed board manufacturing, electronics assembly and test. As a member-driven organization and leading source for industry standards, training, market research and public policy advocacy, IPC supports programs to meet the needs of an estimated $1.5 trillion global electronics industry. IPC maintains additional offices in Taos, N.M.; Arlington, Va.; Garden Grove, Calif.; Stockholm, Sweden; Moscow, Russia; Bangalore, India; Shanghai, Shenzhen and Beijing, China.

Sep 16, 2024 -

IPC White Paper Calls for Comprehensive Roadmap to Address Advanced Packaging to Board-Level Integration Challenges

Sep 09, 2024 -

Calling All California Employers: Harness State Funding for Workforce Training with IPC and ETP

Sep 09, 2024 -

WHMA/IPC Issues Call for Participation for Electrical Wire Processing Technology Expo 2025

Sep 02, 2024 -

IPC's Road to Reliability Webinar Series Covers New e-Mobility Technologies

Sep 02, 2024 -

North American PCB Industry Sales Down 21.2 Percent in July

Aug 26, 2024 -

North American EMS Industry Up 1.9 Percent in July

Aug 26, 2024 -

IPC Partners with Stephen F. Austin State University's CARRI and the IPC Education Foundation for Workforce Development in Electronics Manufacturing

Aug 19, 2024 -

Electronics Industry Sentiment Rebounds in August After Three-Month Decline

Aug 19, 2024 -

Latest Advancements in High-Reliability Electronics Focus of 2024 IPC High Reliability Forum

Aug 07, 2024 -

Diana Radovan Joins IPC as New Sustainability Policy Director

1512 more news from Association Connecting Electronics Industries (IPC) »

Sep 19, 2024 -

ABB DSQC541

Sep 19, 2024 -

ABB CS31 ECZ FPR3700001R0001

Sep 19, 2024 -

YOKOGAWA PW482-50 S2

Sep 19, 2024 -

BENTLY NEVADA 330103-00-07-10-12-05

Sep 19, 2024 -

MFC2 MFC2-IC3 00-125-236 00-108-766

Sep 19, 2024 -

1326AB-B515E-S2K5L

Sep 19, 2024 -

ABB 3BHE037864R0101 UFC911B101

Sep 19, 2024 -

HIRSCHMANN ECAUI 943319-001

Sep 19, 2024 -

WOODWARD 9905-968

Sep 19, 2024 -

ABB SPSET01

See electronics manufacturing industry news »

One-third of Printed Boards for U.S. Military Electronics are Made Outside North America news release has been viewed 809 times

  • SMTnet
  • »
  • Industry News
  • »
  • One-third of Printed Boards for U.S. Military Electronics are Made Outside North America
Fluid Dispensing, Staking, TIM, Solder Paste

Reflow Oven