Welcome to the Printed Circuit Board Association of America
PCBAA is a consortium of U.S.-based companies that support U.S. domestic production of printed circuit boards or "PCBs", and the materials they are made of, as well as the proliferation of the domestic PCB of their supply chain.
PCBs, microelectronics themselves, are the central nervous system of all microelectronic systems. Without PCBs, semiconductors cannot communicate with the devices or systems they power. From everyday consumer electronics to critical national defense systems, PCBs are the electronic foundation of our modern world.
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What are Printed Circuit Boards?
Printed circuit boards are more than green pieces of plastic: they are highly customized, interconnected components with complex embedded circuitry that distribute power, information and signals throughout electronic systems, allowing them to function in a myriad of complex operating systems. In essence, they are the backbone that carry semiconductors, the spine that help to power all things digital.​ This is why we say "Chips don't float."
The case for American Made PCBs
PCB worldwide production revenue is estimated to be over $60 Billion in 2021. Over the past 20 years, PCB production has moved away from the United States at an alarming rate, primarily to Asia, as overseas costs were driven down by foreign government subsidies. At one time, the U.S. produced over 26% of the world's PCBs. Today that number is down to 4%. This dependence on other countries creates risks for both business and national security. While PCB manufacturing in the United States is gaining momentum, more work needs to be done to level the playing field and balance the sources of PCBs and reduce dependence on foreign manufacturers. U.S. companies need to be able to depend on reliable and stable supply chains, and the U.S. government must provide support and incentives to ensure these supply chains return to North America in sufficient numbers to reduce the risk of disruption through manmade or natural crises.
​Reliance on foreign PCB manufacturing is a problem both for U.S. companies that rely on PCBs for their products and because of the potential threat to national security a disruption in supply of PCBs would mean to the domestic electronics market. Not only do foreign governments create unfair market conditions and put the U.S. at a competitive disadvantage, those same foreign powers have the power to simply cut off the supply of PCBs to the United States and its allies.
Given the critical importance of this technology, we must reestablish a robust, balanced and sustainable U.S. PCB manufacturing capability through policies and legislation that allow U.S. companies to compete on a level playing field.
Why Should You Become a Member?
Do you support the domestic production of PCBs? Are you a U.S.-based manufacturer or involved in PCB supply chains?
PCBAA can enhance your access to government officials, government perspectives on needs or policies, commercial opportunities, emerging technologies, and the overall electronics industry.
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