ECIA Posts Latest Channel Channel Podcast: Dale Ford and Economist Cliff Waldman

Atlanta – ECIA’s Chief Analyst Dale Ford interviews economist Cliff Waldman on the latest episode of The Channel Channel podcast, posted today. The two discuss the broader economy and global trends that will impact growth in the electronic components industry. Cliff Waldman is CEO of New World Economics and host of “Manufacturing Matters” podcast. Cliff will be presenting at the ECIA Executive Conference in October.

“Cliff Waldman’s talk at the Executive Conference in 2019 was very well-received,” said ECIA Chief Analyst Dale Ford. “His insights into changing global demographics as one of the pillars of economic growth, as well as the role of government stimulus, where the next low labor cost region will be and other mega-trends are very important to the electronic components industry.”

The podcast discussion covers technology’s role as a solution to the challenges of changing global demographics, the impact of the pandemic, his recommendations for where research funding needs to be invested, and much more.

“Manufacturing output plummeted in the second quarter of 2020,” Waldman explained. “Then we had a surge in the last couple of quarters of that year due to massive government spending. We saw manufacturing output falter in the first quarter of 2021, which isn’t surprising because all that spending was not sustainable.  The question is whether output will continue to falter because of the severe supply shortages and disruptions, or whether we will see stabilization and a resumption of growth as the supply-demand balance evens out.”

“I am looking forward to hearing from Cliff at the next Executive Conference, as he will have another couple of quarters of data to look at,” commented Ford. “Volatility has always been part of the electronics industry forecasting, but I don’t think there have ever been as many black swans flying around as there have been this year,” he mused.

To listen to the podcast, go to www.ECIAnow.org/podcasts.  For more information about the  Executive Conference, which will be held in-person October 24-26, 2021, visit ECIA Executive Conference.