From circuit boards to AI, the electronics industry’s voice gets louder as IPC transforms into the Global Electronics Association, pushing for a more resilient supply chain.
The Institute for Printed Circuits (IPC), a global specialist in electronics standards and certification, has officially rebranded as the Global Electronics Association, announcing its expanded role in representing the worldwide electronics industry, now valued at over $6 trillion.
The organisation also unveiled its new vision, “Better electronics for a better world,” highlighting its commitment to strengthening supply chain resilience and accelerating industry growth. It collaborates with more than 3000 member companies, global partners, and numerous governments to drive innovation and stability across the electronics sector.
“The Board’s support and approval of this transformation shows our collective recognition that the electronics industry has fundamentally changed,” said Tom Edman, Chair of the Global Electronics Association’s Board and President and CEO of TTM Technologies.
He further stated that the association has expanded well beyond its beginning in printed circuit boards, enabling AI, autonomous vehicles, and much more.
With its new name, the Association plans to intensify advocacy, broaden industry insights, and strengthen stakeholder engagement. It aims to represent all facets of the electronics ecosystem—from design and components to final product manufacturing.
However, the ‘IPC’ name will be retained for industry standards and certification programmes. Its educational arm has been renamed the Electronics Foundation, continuing its focus on addressing the industry’s talent needs.
In conjunction with the rebrand, the Association released a study on trade flows. Key findings include:
- Electronics account for over $1 in every $5 of global merchandise trade.
- The industry’s cross-border supply chains surpass automotive in complexity.
- Electronic components, worth $2.5 trillion in 2023, now exceed finished product trade.
- Export leaders like China, Vietnam, and India also rely heavily on imports of electronic inputs.
Dr John W. Mitchell, president and CEO of the Global Electronics Association, concluded, “Our trade flows analysis reinforces that resilience, not self-sufficiency, is the foundation of competitiveness in the electronics age. No single company or country can stand alone. The complexities of the electronics ecosystem require collaboration and partnership with others.”
The Global Electronics Association operates in markets including Belgium, China, Germany, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Taiwan, and the United States, across the entire electronics value chain.
