The many billions of dollars in direct funding or incentives the US Chips Act has bestowed on domestic manufacturers continue to obscure the basic adage that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

That truism was tested, again, in late November as Denkai America, the US-based subsidiary of the Japanese materials company, announced its intentions to close and liquidate its copper foil manufacturing plant in Augusta, South Carolina, the last such factory in the United States.

The news comes just two years after its parent company, Nippon Denkai, heralded the site as the future of foil production, with tens of millions of dollars in investments planned and hundreds of new jobs expected. The company cited financial problems stemming from semiconductor shortages, a decrease in exports of batteries manufactured domestically, lower demand for smartphones, and other factors for the decision.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – The electronics industry faced a dip in sentiment this December, as the Demand Index declined 1.8% according to IPC’s December Sentiment of the Global Electronics Manufacturing Supply Chain Report. It remained below 100 for the fourth consecutive month, signaling continued contraction.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – North American EMS shipments in November were up 10.6% from last November's totals, IPC's North American EMS Statistical Program reported. The book-to-bill ratio stands at 1.18.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – Total North American PCB shipments in November were up 4.7% compared to the same month last year, IPC announced in findings from its North American PCB Statistical Program. The book-to-bill ratio stands at 1.15.

SINGAPORE – SP Manufacturing has expanded its global presence with two major moves: opening a new manufacturing facility in Senai, Malaysia, and successfully acquiring Ideal Jacobs, a Hong Kong EMS provider.

WALTHAM, MA – Nano Dimension has appointed Julien Lederman as interim CEO after Yoav Stern was terminated from the position. 

JÖNKÖPING, SWEDEN – Kitron is expanding its facility here to add around 6,000 sq. m. of production space.

BANGKOK – Delta Electronics and Cal-Comp Electronics are partnering to advance the EMS industry by combining Delta’s automation expertise with Cal-Comp’s manufacturing capabilities.

ZEELAND, MI – Automotive electronics manufacturer Gentex has announced the acquisition of all remaining shares of Voxx International for around $120 million.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Jabil announced revenue of $7 billion for the first quarter of its fiscal year, down 16.7% from the same quarter last year.

HA NAM PROVINCE, VIETNAM – Wistron reportedly plans to begin operations in January at its new $24.5 million manufacturing plant here.

ATLANTA – After expressing strong confidence for November sales sentiment in all component categories, survey participants projected equally strong pessimism for the December outlook, according to ECIA’s Electronic Component Sales Trend November 2024 survey results.