IPC CEO John Mitchell on the Impact of COVID-19 on the Electronics Supply Chain

Judy Warner
|  Created: March 31, 2020  |  Updated: February 5, 2021
IPC CEO John Mitchell on the Impact of COVID-19 on the Electronics Supply Chain

A $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill was signed into law on Wednesday, March 25th. The bill will, among other things, send money directly to American citizens, small businesses, and troubled corporations, all of which have been greatly affected by COVID-19 and the resulting lockdowns.

In this podcast, Dr. John Mitchell, president and CEO of the IPC trade association, discusses the effects of the SARS-CoV-2 crisis on the electronics industry, enumerates the IPC’s efforts at mitigating those effects around the world, and elaborates on IPC’s Roadmap to Economic Recovery. 

The IPC has been helping the electronics industry navigate dramatic changes since 1957. Here, Dr. Mitchell demonstrates why the current coronavirus pandemic is no different.

Listen to the Podcast:

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Show Highlights:

  • Dr. John Mitchell provides a brief description of the trade association known as IPC, and elaborates on its role in ensuring the collective success of the electronics industry as a whole, both in the past and during the current COVID-19 crisis. 
  • IPC’s relationships with world governments, and its advocacy efforts since the advent of the COVID-19 epidemic.
  • John delivers some encouraging news out of China.
  • Manufacturers have stepped up to address the pressing need for ventilators and masks: how IPC works with government to direct those efforts.
  • Coronavirus, the $2 trillion stimulus package, and IPC’s Roadmap to Economic Recovery.
  • Have manufacturing jobs returned to the U.S.? How recent U.S. tariff restrictions have affected the electronics industry and the world.
  • Your work is essential: Shelter-in-Place orders and IPC’s response.
  • A quick rundown of IPC’s ‘COVID-19 (Coronavirus): Economic Impact on Electronics Manufacturing Industry Webinar’. 
  • Online ‘Live Training’ and the advent of virtual-proctoring: John reveals how COVID-19 is affecting IPC’s online education and training, and what the organization has done to adapt. 
  • How the shutdown has hastened progression toward industry standards.

Links and Resources:

IPC Coronavirus Updates - New info added daily
IPC Online Learning in PCB Design
IPC Global Advocacy Update Reports
John Mitchell on LinkedIn

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About Author

About Author

Judy Warner has held a unique variety of roles in the electronics industry for over 25 years. She has a background in PCB Manufacturing, RF and Microwave PCBs and Contract Manufacturing, focusing on Mil/Aero applications. 

She has also been a writer, blogger, and journalist for several industry publications such as Microwave Journal, PCB007 Magazine, PCB Design007, PCD&F, and IEEE Microwave Magazine, and an active board member for PCEA (Printed Circuit Engineering Association). In 2017, Warner joined Altium as the Director of Community Engagement. In addition to hosting the OnTrack Podcast and creating the OnTrack Newsletter, she launched Altium's annual user conference, AltiumLive. Warner's passion is to provide resources, support, and advocate for PCB Design Engineers worldwide.

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