Should components for military use be made in a dedicated secure facility?

That’s the basic thinking behind a $3.5 billion allocation by the US government to support an undisclosed chipmaker, presumably Intel, to develop a classified advanced semiconductor development project. The monies at the root of the issue touched off yet another question, that is, whether Chips Act funds were misused when routed to the so-called Secure Enclave program.

The Chips Act, of course, is the foundational legislation upon which the US strategy of reclaiming semiconductor manufacturing dominance is built.

Years ago, the major semiconductor foundries, including Intel, Motorola and others, had designated government segments. Their demise more or less concluded with the rollout of new defense procurement policies, now known as the Perry Initiative.

KUNGSBACKA, SWEDEN – Tyri, a manufacturer of lighting equipment for work machines, is starting in-house production of circuit boards in Sweden.

CARLSBAD, CA – Seacomp has opened a new 60,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Tijuana, Mexico.

PEACHTREE CITY, GA – The Printed Circuit Engineering Association (PCEA) today announced registration is open for the technical program for PCB West 2024, featuring more than 110 hours of in-depth electronics engineering training spread over nearly 50 sessions.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – Total North American EMS shipments in April were down 2.1% from last April, according to IPC's findings from its North American EMS Statistical Program.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – Total North American PCB shipments in April were up 9.4% compared to the same month last year, IPC announced in findings from its North American PCB Statistical Program.

BENGALURU, INDIA – Indian EMS provider Aimtron Electronics' initial public offering is set to open on May 30 and close on June 3.

WASHINGTON – The Semiconductor Industry Association has released a set of recommendations to promote the success of the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC), a public-private research consortium established by the Chips and Science Act.

WINDACH, GERMANY – Delo reported revenue of EUR229 million ($249 million) for its full fiscal year, up 12% from the previous year.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Jabil has announced a number of changes in senior leadership, including the appointment of Michael Dastoor as CEO to replace Kenny Wilson, who was placed on leave in April and will not be returning to the position.

MINNEAPOLIS – Nortech Systems has announced plans to close its manufacturing plant in Blue Earth, MN, by the end of the year.

PEACHTREE CITY, GA – Registrants for the PCB East exhibition this June will gain access to eight free technical sessions ranging from printed circuit design to fabrication and assembly, the Printed Circuit Engineering Association (PCEA) announced today. The sessions take place on June 5 at the Boxboro Regency Hotel and Conference Center in Boxborough, MA, and cover topics about AI and PCB design, strategic design PCB assembly, flex design, surface finishes, and more.