Both certain and uncertain about the future
So, I’ve read all the Executive Forecasts and read them again. Using my newfound knowledge, if I had to compare the electronics industry in 2025 with an internal combustion engine it would be a performance V8 with ‘artificial intelligence powered’ super charger, yet it would also be misfiring on a cylinder and suffering from an annoying intermittent fault. All in all, the industry is poised for significant activity but hamstrung by uncertainty caused by variables beyond any company’s direct control. Strangely, I simultaneously feel both certain and uncertain about the future. I have complete confidence that human ingenuity and resulting innovation will…
Strengths and opportunities: 2025
As this is the last issue of Electronics Sourcing Europe for 2024, I thought it was the ideal opportunity to share my thoughts on the strengths and opportunities underpinning European manufacturing as we shift into gear for 2025. As expected, strengths remain technological innovation and global leadership in sectors including automotive, industrial automation and medical devices. European countries are continuing to invest in research and development, while regional policies such as the EU Green Deal are helping target investments at renewables, efficiency and environmentally conscious electronics: all of which align with global R&D efforts. Europe also benefits from a skilled…
Have your say on the future of distribution
The December issue of Electronics Sourcing North America will be dedicated to the Executive Forecast feature which will provide insightful articles where leading industry voices share their perspectives on the future of the electronics distribution market for the coming 12 months. Driven by the rapid pace of product innovation and ongoing shifts in supply chain dynamics, understanding what lies ahead is crucial for electronics purchasing professionals. This feature will explore trends, opportunities and challenges as anticipated by leaders across distribution, component manufacturing and electronics manufacturing services. Potential issues for discussion range from inventory holdings and shipping delays to geopolitical instability…
Have your say on the future of distribution
The December issue of Electronics Sourcing will be dedicated to the Executive Forecast feature which will provide insightful articles where leading industry voices share their perspectives on the future of the electronics distribution market for the coming 12 months. Driven by the rapid pace of product innovation and ongoing shifts in supply chain dynamics, understanding what lies ahead is crucial for electronics purchasing professionals. This feature will explore trends, opportunities and challenges as anticipated by leaders across distribution, component manufacturing and electronics manufacturing services. Potential issues for discussion range from inventory holdings and shipping delays to geopolitical instability and new Chinese…
Innovation, networking, learning and more
Welcome to Electronics Sourcing’s Electronica 2024 Special Issue. So, now that you are at the show what can you expect to see, learn and take away? Clearly, in such a fast moving industry, every exhibitor’s goal is to pack their stand with the latest innovations, including semiconductors, passives and electromechanical products. As a buyer, benefit from firsthand exposure to the technologies that will soon be appearing on bills-of-materials. Also, given the event’s size and duration, static displays will be supplemented by plenty of live demonstrations where buyers can evaluate product quality, functionality and compatibility. Given the market’s fluctuations of recent years,…
Are you being tricked or treated?
Ever since I started working in the electronics distribution sector I have been staggered at the number of bad actors who start each working week with the sole objective of tricking OEMs into buying components that aren’t what they are claimed to be. Just imagine how much better the world would be if the effort applied to counterfeiting was redeployed to getting it right. Everyone would be a winner. As it stands, under the banner of progress, the electronics manufacturing industry will always be subject to fluctuations of supply and demand, leading to gaps which the existing distribution infrastructure can…