electronica 2014: The "Spark" Returns
November 20, 2014 |Estimated reading time: 1 minute
A spark returned to Munich's Deutsches Museum during electronica 2014--perhaps not quite the jolt visitors fortunate enough to witness the spectacular high-voltage display in person experienced, but a spark nonetheless. The energy at this year's show indicates the health of the industry--once described a few years ago by EIPC's John Ling as an ailing patient--has taken a welcome turn toward recovery. Conversations with both material suppliers and European PCB fabricators hinted at improved sentiment all around. I noticed a significant upturn in interest in the high-speed arena from automotive and automotive-related companies. Increased electronic content in vehicles across the board seems to be driving automotive and infotainment manufacturers toward higher speed materials and the associated tools required for their design and fabrication.
With three nine-hour days and a final eight-hour day, electronica can seem like a long show during hard economic times, but not this year as many exhibitors were busy meeting prospects for the majority of the week. Some visitors noted they were unable to make all their appointments during the show's first day as the exhibition booths were just too busy. I can’t remember the last time I experienced that kind of atmosphere. Walt Custer noted that 2014 marks the busiest electronica he can recall for many years.
I'm optimistic the spark of interest shown at electronica 2014 will ignite the electronics industry's renewed enthusiasm for the next 12 months and lead to a successful productronica in 2015. Prost!