Global Electronics Association Hosts 'APEX EXPO 2026', an Exhibition and Technical Conference for Electronics Manufacturing Technology
The Global Electronics Association hosted 'APEX EXPO 2026' in the US. The CEO advocated for structural transformation, flexible supply chains, and systems-thinking talent to address AI demand and supply chain challenges.
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- 📰 Published: April 10, 2026 at 20:22
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The Global Electronics Association, an international standards organization involving electronics-related companies, held the 'APEX EXPO 2026', an exhibition and technical conference for electronics manufacturing technology, from March 16 to 19 at the Anaheim Convention Center in California, USA. The event brought together electronics engineers and experts from all over the world, facilitating lively discussions and information sharing in the areas of design, assembly, materials, reliability, and standardization.
**The Structural Transformation Required in the Electronics Industry**
John W. Mitchell, President and CEO of the Association, took the stage for the keynote speech. He strongly called for structural transformation in the electronics industry, which is facing complex pressures such as the explosive demand for AI, increasing complexity of supply chains, geopolitical risks, and severe talent shortages.
Mitchell pointed out that while many companies are enjoying strong business performance, many are hesitating to make capital investments, which is a sign that 'instability' is forming at the foundation of the industry. He used the example of a bridge collapse caused by a steady, non-gale-force wind, analyzing that the problem was not the strength of the individual components supporting the bridge's structure, but the vulnerability of the 'connections' that overlooked the dynamic forces applied to the bridge as a whole. Superimposing this on the challenges of the electronics industry, he concluded that optimizing individual elements will not solve the problems; the key lies in how to build 'integrative power' to make it function as a whole.
Addressing this challenge, he emphasized that today's electronics industry must not be 'too fragile' as social infrastructure, and presented three strategies for the industry to achieve structural strength:
1. Building a Flexible Supply Chain (Strategic Interdependence):
Breaking away from centralized production that prioritizes cost efficiency, and building multi-regional partnerships to diversify geopolitical risks. This realizes 'flexible strength' without a single point of failure.
2. Cultivating Systems-Thinking Talent:
There is an urgent need to train not only specialists in specific fields but also 'systems thinkers' and 'polyglot engineers' who understand the entire system, from chips, packages, and boards to firmware. This eliminates silos between departments and promotes true integration.
3. Digital Integration of Standards:
Positioning industry standards not merely as documents but as 'structural reinforcements' of the system. By integrating them digitally through APIs and other means, system interoperability is ensured, and the consistency of increasingly complex architectures is maintained.
In conclusion, he stated that electronics is now a social infrastructure that must not be 'too fragile,' and by redesigning the three pillars of supply chains, talent, and standards, the industry can withstand future pressures and lead the world.
**The Presence of Japanese Companies and the Remarkable Achievement of Winning the 'Rising Star Award'**
Many Japanese companies participated in APEX EXPO 2026, demonstrating their commitment to the development of global standards, technological innovation, and continuous dedication to the industry. Particularly in the field of standardization, a working group led by Japan promoted activities focused on the automotive electronics sector. They made concrete proposals to more closely reflect the real-world reliability and safety requirements faced by OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers regarding the electronic assembly acceptability standard 'IPC-A-610' and the soldering standard 'J-STD-001'.
**The Structural Transformation Required in the Electronics Industry**
John W. Mitchell, President and CEO of the Association, took the stage for the keynote speech. He strongly called for structural transformation in the electronics industry, which is facing complex pressures such as the explosive demand for AI, increasing complexity of supply chains, geopolitical risks, and severe talent shortages.
Mitchell pointed out that while many companies are enjoying strong business performance, many are hesitating to make capital investments, which is a sign that 'instability' is forming at the foundation of the industry. He used the example of a bridge collapse caused by a steady, non-gale-force wind, analyzing that the problem was not the strength of the individual components supporting the bridge's structure, but the vulnerability of the 'connections' that overlooked the dynamic forces applied to the bridge as a whole. Superimposing this on the challenges of the electronics industry, he concluded that optimizing individual elements will not solve the problems; the key lies in how to build 'integrative power' to make it function as a whole.
Addressing this challenge, he emphasized that today's electronics industry must not be 'too fragile' as social infrastructure, and presented three strategies for the industry to achieve structural strength:
1. Building a Flexible Supply Chain (Strategic Interdependence):
Breaking away from centralized production that prioritizes cost efficiency, and building multi-regional partnerships to diversify geopolitical risks. This realizes 'flexible strength' without a single point of failure.
2. Cultivating Systems-Thinking Talent:
There is an urgent need to train not only specialists in specific fields but also 'systems thinkers' and 'polyglot engineers' who understand the entire system, from chips, packages, and boards to firmware. This eliminates silos between departments and promotes true integration.
3. Digital Integration of Standards:
Positioning industry standards not merely as documents but as 'structural reinforcements' of the system. By integrating them digitally through APIs and other means, system interoperability is ensured, and the consistency of increasingly complex architectures is maintained.
In conclusion, he stated that electronics is now a social infrastructure that must not be 'too fragile,' and by redesigning the three pillars of supply chains, talent, and standards, the industry can withstand future pressures and lead the world.
**The Presence of Japanese Companies and the Remarkable Achievement of Winning the 'Rising Star Award'**
Many Japanese companies participated in APEX EXPO 2026, demonstrating their commitment to the development of global standards, technological innovation, and continuous dedication to the industry. Particularly in the field of standardization, a working group led by Japan promoted activities focused on the automotive electronics sector. They made concrete proposals to more closely reflect the real-world reliability and safety requirements faced by OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers regarding the electronic assembly acceptability standard 'IPC-A-610' and the soldering standard 'J-STD-001'.