The global electronics manufacturing supply chain remains under pressure from rising costs, with 61% of firms reporting higher material costs and 54% noting increased labor expenses according to the Global Electronics Association’s Sentiment of the Global Electronics Manufacturing Supply Chain Report. While the Material Cost Index dipped slightly from June and profit margins showed a modest gain (+6 points), only 15% of manufacturers reported actual profit improvement, highlighting the fragility of recovery.

Market Dissonance: Strong Demand Despite Volatility, Hiring Challenges

Operational metrics such as orders, shipments, backlogs, and capacity utilization continue to signal expansion, maintaining momentum from the rebound that began in late 2024.  

Over the next six months, electronics manufacturers expect material and labor costs to remain high, while ease of recruitment is expected to remain challenging. 

Shawn DuBravac, Ph.D., Global Electronics Association’s chief economist and report author noted, “While demand indicators like orders and shipments remain strong, cost pressures continue to weigh heavily on the global electronics manufacturing sector, Operational momentum remains intact, yet the cost structure is straining under pressure. Manufacturers are adapting, but margin recovery remains elusive.”

Deeper Dive: Workforce Engagement

Electronics manufacturers globally report that their growth is constrained by an inability to recruit, onboard, retain, and upskill workers. In response to special questions regarding active hiring and skilled talent acquisition, 60% of firms are actively hiring, with European companies more likely to be pursuing talent for critical roles. Across all regions, the ability to secure skilled workers is a key limiting factor; 63% of firms report that talent shortages are constraining business growth, reinforcing labor as a critical operational challenge.

These results are based upon the findings of the Global Electronics Association’s Current State of Electronics Manufacturing Survey, fielded between June 12 and June 30, 2025.

Read the full report.

We are disappointed by today’s decision to impose a 50% tariff on imported copper foil and other essential materials critical to electronics manufacturing in the United States.

These tariffs will hit U.S. printed circuit board (PCB) fabricators especially hard by raising the cost of a critical input that can make up 60% of a PCB’s value, much of which is etched away in the production process. With no scalable domestic supply, U.S. electronics manufacturers will face higher costs, delay investments, and potentially even cut jobs, jeopardizing U.S. competitiveness in the technologies that will power the 21st century.  

This move directly undercuts President Trump’s goal of rebuilding American manufacturing and promoting American exports in strategic sectors. We urge the Administration to exempt electronics-grade copper and adopt policies that lower costs, encourage domestic production, and strengthen the U.S. electronics supply chain.

The Global Electronics Association (formerly IPC International Inc.) announces the appointment of Brent Laufenberg as its new Chief Information Officer (CIO). 

As CIO, Laufenberg will serve as a strategic partner to the CEO and executive leadership team, overseeing the implementation of a modern IT infrastructure and advancing the Association’s vision to become a data-informed and AI-accelerated global organization.               

“Brent brings a rare combination of technical expertise, strategic vision, and deep understanding of how to use technology as a driver of business value,” said John W. Mitchell, Global Electronics Association president and CEO. “His leadership will be instrumental as we enter a new chapter focused on leveraging AI, data, and digital tools to serve our members in smarter, more personalized, and more impactful ways.”

Laufenberg’s priorities will include:

• Technology Strategy & Execution: Crafting and implementing a business-aligned technology roadmap that supports growth and delivers a competitive advantage for members.

• AI & Data Innovation: Championing AI adoption and building a data-driven culture to enhance decision-making, productivity, and insight.

• Member Experience Transformation: Leading the development of intuitive, personalized digital platforms that elevate member engagement and satisfaction.

• Organizational Enablement: Inspiring cross-functional collaboration and embedding technology as a strategic accelerator across the association.

• Security & Risk Management: Ensuring a secure, compliant, and resilient technology environment.

• Operational Efficiency: Managing IT investments and partnerships to deliver measurable value and performance.

“As the global electronics industry and supply chain continues to evolve, we have a responsibility to match that transformation in how we support our members,” Laufenberg said. “Every member experience—whether it’s training and certification, seamlessly leveraging our standards, gaining deeper industry insights, or creating new technology solutions to accelerate innovation—should be intuitive, personalized, and undeniably valuable. I’m excited to join the Global Electronics Association at such a pivotal time and look forward to helping expand the impact we can make through smart, strategic use of technology.”                                                                      

Laufenberg joins the Association with more than two decades of technology leadership experience in complex, global organizations, most recently serving as chief technology officer at Rise, an omnichannel media agency. “Brent’s proven ability to lead digital transformation and his passion for innovation will be instrumental as the association continues to evolve to meet the needs of the global electronics industry,” added Mitchell.                                                    

Laufenberg works from the headquarters office in Bannockburn, Ill., and can be reached at BrentLaufenberg@electronics.org.

The Global Electronics Association announced today the June 2025 findings from its North American Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) Statistical Program. The book-to-bill ratio stands at 1.28.

Total North American EMS shipments in June 2025 were up 3.0 percent compared to the same month last year. Compared to the preceding month, June shipments were up 2.4 percent. June’s year-to-date (YTD) shipments decreased by 0.3% year-over-year (YOY).

EMS bookings in June decreased 8.9 percent year-over-year and decreased 17.4 percent from the previous month. June’s YTD bookings increased by 0.2% compared to the same period last year.

“June was a steady, solid month for North American EMS providers, signaling continued forward momentum,” said Shawn DuBravac, Ph.D., the Global Electronics Association’s chief economist. “While bookings declined nearly 9 percent year-over-year, shipments rose almost three percent, highlighting the sector’s strength in meeting current demand and maintaining a healthy production environment.”

Detailed Data Available

Companies that participate in the Global Electronics Association’s North American EMS Statistical Program have access to detailed findings on EMS sales growth by type of production and company size tier, order growth and backlogs by company size tier, vertical market growth, the EMS book-to-bill ratio, 3-month and 12-month sales outlooks, and other timely data.

Interpreting the Data

The book-to-bill ratios are calculated by dividing the value of orders booked over the past three months by the value of sales billed during the same period from companies in the Global Electronics Association’s survey sample. A ratio of more than 1.00 suggests that current demand is ahead of supply, which is a positive indicator for sales growth over the next three to 12 months. A ratio of less than 1.00 indicates the reverse.

Year-on-year and year-to-date growth rates provide the most meaningful view of industry growth. Month-to-month comparisons should be made with caution as they reflect seasonal effects and short-term volatility. Because bookings tend to be more volatile than shipments, changes in the book-to-bill ratios from month to month might not be significant unless a trend of more than three consecutive months is apparent. It is also important to consider changes in both bookings and shipments to understand what is driving changes in the book-to-bill ratio.

The Global Electronics Association’s monthly EMS industry statistics are based on data provided by a representative sample of assembly equipment manufacturers selling in the USA and Canada. The Association publishes the EMS book-to-bill ratio by the end of each month.

The Global Electronics Association announced today the June 2025 findings from its North American Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Statistical Program. The book-to-bill ratio stands at 1.06.

Total North American PCB shipments in June 2025were down 8.6 percent compared to the same month last year. Compared to the preceding month, June shipments were down 19.2 percent. June's year-to-date (YTD) shipments increased by 5.3% year-over-year (YOY).

PCB bookings in June were up 4.9 percent compared to the same month last year. June bookings were down 2.1 percent compared to the preceding month. June’s YTD bookings increased 16.2% compared to the same period last year.

“June’s results reflect continued resilience in North American PCB production. The data signals stable demand and ongoing confidence in future output,” said Shawn DuBravac, Ph.D., IPC’s chief economist. “While flex bookings softened slightly, strong rigid bookings helped sustain the sector’s positive momentum."

Detailed Data Available

Companies that participate in the Global Electronics Association’s North American PCB Statistical Program have access to detailed findings on rigid PCB and flexible circuit sales and orders, including separate rigid and flex book-to-bill ratios, growth trends by product types and company size tiers, demand for prototypes, sales growth to military and medical markets, and other timely data.

Interpreting the Data

The book-to-bill ratios are calculated by dividing the value of orders booked over the past three months by the value of sales billed during the same period from companies in the Global Electronics Association’s survey sample. A ratio of more than 1.00 suggests that current demand is ahead of supply, which is a positive indicator for sales growth over the next three to 12 months. A ratio of less than 1.00 indicates the reverse.

Year-on-year and year-to-date growth rates provide the most meaningful view of industry growth. Month-to-month comparisons should be made with caution as they reflect seasonal effects and short-term volatility. Because bookings tend to be more volatile than shipments, changes in the book-to-bill ratios from month to month might not be significant unless a trend of more than three consecutive months is apparent. It is also important to consider changes in both bookings and shipments to understand what is driving changes in the book-to-bill ratio.

The Global Electronics Association’s monthly PCB industry statistics are based on data provided by a representative sample of both rigid PCB and flexible circuit manufacturers selling in the USA and Canada. The Association publishes the PCB book-to-bill ratio by the end of each month.