Reid Henry, President, Hentec Industries/RPS Automation

Three Trends for 2023

2023 promises to be a year like no other we have ever seen. Strange thing to say after nearly three years of Covid right? But interestingly enough many of these trends started prior to the pandemic and were simply exacerbated it. In fact, I feel that most of the trends that are coming to fruition as we turn the page on 2022 are good things. In many ways things that have been long overdue.

So, all I can say is, It's about time.

The biggest trend is cooperation. I see companies partnering and working together like never before. Especially domestic electronics companies. Already in the latter part of 2022 we have seen a rise in cooperative partnerships between PCB and PCBA companies with PCB designers and even among competitors. It feels like most of these companies were scared straight by the fact that we have lost so much of our technological independence in the last two decades to the point where we could not even produce basic medical devices without China!

This means that the second trend I am seeing is onshoring. We are frantically trying to reclaim our independence. This is especially true when it comes to components. Semiconductor factories are being build in Arizona and Ohia as we speak. PCB laminate companies are unshuttering their American factories. And most importantly OEMs are being much more careful about showing their new technologies and their new innovations beyond our borders. Actually, with the new acts of congress it has become illegal to share American produced technological innovations with other countries.

This leads me to the next important trend which is a demand for a complete electronics solutions. Total synergistic solutions. Companies are looking for suppliers who can do it all, from concept to reality, Design, Fabrication and Assembly of their products easily and simply, the new term is frictionless. Companies want their products delivered to them quickly and easily. Speed and security being the key elements. This trend has encouraged the developed of cooperative partnerships as mentioned above.

Please do not get me wrong. The idea of a global economy will never go away, but it will be better regulated for the good of all. In the end the world will be a better place…if we all learn to work better together. But alas for now I see that spirit of trust and cooperation being a North American and European thing. At least for the time being.