PCIF

Citation

Coultard, F. (2002), "PCIF", Circuit World, Vol. 28 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/cw.2002.21728aaf.001

PCIF

PCIF

Keywords: PCIF, FEI, ICT

The PCIF has started a series of strategy meetings for its various groups. These are born of the need to assess the state of the industry, decide on the strategy for the near future and also to glean the benefits that must accrue from the connections with the FEI. The fabricators, suppliers and the ACeM groups have completed their first round of meetings and are formulating plans, which include winging questions to other groups. Similar meetings are scheduled for the designers and the ICT. These will lead to a joint session chaired by the FEI business area director for components and manufacturing, Peter Maguire, in early December, followed by regular group sessions for as long as they are deemed necessary. Each group meeting is chaired by the appropriate chairman. These are not talking shops but policy forming forums, which are designed to bring in a greater level of democracy and to produce solid guidelines for the PCIF staff which act as the secretariat and also a source of new ideas.

The state of the market has been in turmoil, which has been discussed at length in the various forums. There have been remarkably candid discussions with good interchange. Despite the gloom some are holding up well, maybe not at the same heady heights of last year, but several still maintain that, given a say five-year span growth, rates can still be expected in the 7-8 per cent region per year. Some have talked of an uplift in Q1/Q2 of 2002 but this seems to be hope rather than expectation based on evidence. The next six months should produce some clarification.

We now have another very significant devastating factor to counter. The tragic and barbaric events that occurred on 11 September 2001 in New York and Washington are more than the average person can assimilate. Only by collective application will we be able to deal with the situation in our daily routine and beyond. The fragility of our economies will need all the skill, energy and support available to contend with these catastrophes but cope we will. The PCB and EMS industries are peopled by like-minded, innovative individuals, who are proud to belong to the "club". They will not be deflected from their chosen career and involvement. Much is to unfold yet but the electronics industry is still a vibrant force with massive further potential.

It goes without saying that a message of sympathy and support was sent to Denny McGuirk, President of the IPC who graciously found the time to respond.

Recent times have found it hard to stage forums with support. Some meetings have had to be cancelled throughout the industry and now with restrictions on travelling things have been made worse. The need for networking is still there and those who have made it to forums have found it really worthwhile.

To lighter matters. There are still some bright sparks in our world. Technology still parades ahead and it seems as always that the UK's most useful contributions are design, niche manufacturing and keeping abreast of technology. We are good at all three. The PCIF/FEI have been working hard at new initiatives, which have bid for grant funding from the DTI in the subjects of e-commerce development and a PCB design academic programme. Both have been successful. There are several others in the pipeline, all in aid of the PCB industry.

The blending of activities with the FEI continues where there is advantage to be gained for both organisations. The identity of the PCIF is preserved, witnessed by the independence of the PCIF programme. It has to be said again that the FEI have been most welcoming and highly cooperative.

Frank CoultardPCIF