From Carter to Trump Take Two
The electronics industry is evolving rapidly, with North America experiencing strong growth in EMS and PCB shipments, while Europe and Asia face challenges like rising costs and geopolitical pressures. As markets shift, supply chain security is becoming more critical than ever.
At Micron, we’ve been helping customers adapt to industry changes since 1982. Whether it’s capitalizing on local market strengths or navigating global uncertainties, we’re here to help you stay ahead.
Let’s work together to drive your success in today’s dynamic environment.
Navigating Change in Electronics Manufacturing with Micron
Micron continues to help its customers prosper from the strength of local North American markets.
Never complacent, Micron Corporation still has eyes and ears on signals coming from global indicators such as worldwide revenue momentum and cross continental sentiment. It has been a tale of two markets in electronics. One of them includes North America in general, and some of the larger global players in particular. The other seems more driven by Europe and Asia.
Sturdy growth is still evident in our industry here. IPC reported North American EMS and PCB shipments were up roughly ten and five percent, respectively, in the latest month with data available (Nov. 2024). And book-to-bill ratios also show that demand remains strong for both, as well.
Globally, Taiwan’s Foxconn, the world’s largest electronics manufacturer, reported record revenue for the fourth quarter of 2024. And yet Europe remains weak, and global sentiment is subdued.
IPC’s December 2024 Global Sentiment Report indicated continued contraction in the electronics manufacturing industry. And there are persistent cost pressures, mostly from rising labor and material costs. Geopolitical unrest, government intervention, and bond market muscle flexing are all contributing to a wave of changes ranging from public discourse to capital expenditures.
Times are changing, that much is sure. William Priest contributed the following sentiment to a recent Barron’s Roundtable discussion “… we are living in an era of deglobalization where the security of supply chains is deemed more important than the efficiency of supply chains.”
Micron Corporation has been helping customers navigate changes since the end of the Carter presidency when America and the world seemed mired in turmoil leading to a general malaise. Americans have since prospered in seemingly good times and seemingly bad ones. Now we are entering a second Trump presidency, and the world is again faced with great international disturbances stirring confusion and uncertainty within nations and amongst persons. And still, gas prices keep changing and Micron keeps serving its customers.