Asian Electronics and PWB Production, Market and Technology

The economic growth of Pacific Asian countries in the last three decades is unmatched elsewhere. Financial muscle in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore is comparable to that in New York, London and Frankfurt. Electronics has been one of the industries favoured by this region of poor natural resources but rich in well‐trained manpower. Fuelled by desire and strong financial backing, Pacific Asia is now responsible for 70% of the world output of consumer electronic products. Malaysia is becoming a central focus for IC assembly and the manufacture of consumer electronic goods. Singapore is the disc drive manufacturing centre of the world. Taiwan accounts for 10% of the world PC production. Hong Kong may be a model for future China when the British colony is returned to China in June 1997. Korea is becoming a power house in IC memory. Japan is a threat to the United States in every industrial field imaginable. In this paper, the author will examine the status today and in the year 2000 and beyond of Asian electronics with a special emphasis on the Asian PWB industry which already accounts for 45% of the world production. In addition to production and market assessment, technologies and manufacturing costs will be studied in comparison with the rest of the world.