OnTrack: The PCB Design Podcast

We have a very interesting topic today! The impact of the defense sector on the electronic industry.

Our guest Nathan Edwards, an Executive Director, U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE) will share with us what goes in a Defense Electronic Consortium (DEC) and how all of these impact the electronics eco-system. We will also touch a little about supply chain diversification and onshoring efforts here in the US.

Watch through the end, this is a very special episode you don’t want to miss.

We have a very interesting topic today! The impact of the defense sector on the electronic industry.

Watch this episode here

Show Highlights:

• Introduction to Nathan Edwards
• Nathan briefly share his background in the electronic industry in both government and commercial sector
• What is United States Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE) and what is its involvement in the Defense Electronic Consortium (DEC)?
• Nathan explains what goes on DEC
• Small and medium size electronic companies could benefit in participating in the government ecosystem
• A study shows that 86% of 649 manufacturing firms receive less than 10% of their revenue from defense
• Electronics in the banking industry, from the tamper-proof electronics, security, authenticity, and some reliability and recovery
• Is something similar to the US Defense Electronics Consortium exist in different countries?
• Nathan discusses about the recent policy chain in the Defense Production Act, Title II
• Electronic supply chain diversification and onshoring in the United States
• A policy that will go in to effect in 2027 under the National Defense Authorization Act states that semiconductors, printed circuit boards and interconnects cannot be produced by some of the companies in China
• Nathans thoughts regarding production of electronic components in Latin America, especially Mexico
• Nathan volunteers to mentor emerging talents at his school district’s high school and middle school and get them involved in electronics sector
• The electronics industry requires a full depth of STEM from chemist, manufacturers, mathematician, designers and more
• Career Technical Education (CTE) offers biomedical tech, STEM, IT, and it is sponsored under the State Department of Educations as well as the Federal Department of Education
• Two critical things to a successful onshoring are reliable, skilled workforce, and capital to invest in the state-of-the-practice equipment

Links and Resources:

• Reinventing the business of electronics. Nexar puts your business ahead of the curve, learn more here
• Watch related, previous episodes:
  • The NEXAR Ecosystem
  • Overcoming Technological Challenges in the PCB Industry
  • The Emerging Role of Mexico in the Electronics Supply Chain
  • Achieving Diversified Electronics Supply Chain
• Connect with Nathan Edwards via LinkedIn