In recognition of their significant contributions of time, talent and ongoing leadership in IPC and the electronics industry, long-time IPC volunteers, Bhawnesh Mathur; Mark Wolfe, John Deere Electronic Solutions; and Udo Welzel, Robert Bosch GmbH, were presented with an IPC President’s Award at IPC APEX EXPO 2019.

IPC’s hand soldering competition returned to the United States with the first-ever IPC Hand Soldering World Championship and Rework Competition, held at IPC APEX EXPO 2019 in San Diego, California. Contestants representing Britain, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and Thailand participated in the event.

In recognition of their leadership and contributions to IPC and the electronics industry within the past five years, IPC presented IPC Rising Star awards to Milea Kammer, Ph.D., Honeywell Aerospace; Matt Kelly, IBM; Hans-Peter Tranitz, Ph.D., Continental Automotive, GmbH; and MaryAlice Gill, Jabil Circuit at IPC APEX EXPO 2019

During its annual STEM Outreach program event at IPC APEX EXPO, IPC introduced the new IPC Education Foundation, a 501©(3) organization that will help students and the emerging workforce acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the electronics industry. The IPC Education Foundation focuses on strengthening and shaping the next generation of workers by preparing the talent pipeline, engaging the emerging workforce, improving the perception of the industry, and offering scholarships to deserving students.

IPC bestowed its highest corporate honors on two IPC member companies, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Naval Service Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane. During a luncheon at IPC APEX EXPO 2019, the Peter Sarmanian Corporate Recognition Award was presented to NSWC Crane and the Stan Plzak Corporate Recognition Award was presented to the NASA.

The Nominating and Governance Committee of the IPC Board of Directors presented five candidates for election at the IPC Annual Meeting on January 29, held in conjunction with IPC APEX EXPO 2019 at the San Diego Convention Center. The five candidates were elected as Board members and will serve a four-year term.

In recognition and acknowledgement of his extraordinary contributions to IPC and the electronics industry, Leo Lambert, EPTAC Corporation, was presented with the IPC Raymond E. Pritchard Hall of Fame Award at IPC APEX EXPO on Tuesday, January 29 at the San Diego Convention Center. IPC’s most prestigious award, the Hall of Fame is given to individuals who have provided exceptional service and advancement to IPC and the electronics industry.

IPC announced today the December 2018 findings from its North American Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Statistical Program. Sales growth bounced back in December and remained solid for the year. The book-to-bill ratio also strengthened in December and stands at 1.05.

IPC invites innovators, technologists, materials suppliers, electrical engineers and academicians to submit technical conference abstracts and educational course proposals for IPC E-TEXTILES 2019 to be held on Wednesday, September 11 in Philadelphia, Pa.

IPC’s statistical programs for the printed circuit board (PCB) and contract electronics manufacturing (EMS) industries in North America are now open to new participants for 2019. The deadline for IPC members to sign up is February 1. Participation is free to IPC-member companies as a benefit of membership.