Suzhou PCB Fair shows increasing charm

The Suzhou PCB Show, which is held annually in the mainland Chinese economically bustling city of Suzhou, is showing increasing charm to the industries on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, with the show's 2007 event accommodating 24% more booths than 2006 event.

The show's 2007 event took place from May 16 through 18, attracting 315 manufacturers from economies including Taiwan to demonstrate their latest products at 1,016 booths.

It is the third year for the Suzhou fair, another leading PCB trade fair in the mainland in addition to the one regularly held in Shanghai by the China Printed Circuit Association (CPCA).

This year, Taiwan Printed Circuit Association (TPCA) organized forums on PCB, flexibly printed circuit (FPC), and high-density interconnection (HDI) and surface mount technology (SMT) on the sideline of the Suzhou show.

According to TPCA, the mainland has emerged as the world's largest land for PCB manufacturing by revenue. Taiwanese manufacturers contributed nearly 40% of the mainland industry's revenue last year alone and are projected to ramp up the contribution beyond 50% soon.

The association's executives pointed out that Taiwan's PCB industry had evolved for over 30 years and took the No.2 spot of the world's industry last year with combined revenues generated by overseas and domestic manufacturers of US$11.4 billion, vs. Japan's US$13.8 billion.

In reflection of Taiwan's PCB strength, the association will organize the world's second-largest show in Taipei in October this year with a planned 1,650 booths.

Suzhou reported gross domestic product of RMB482 billion (US$61.7 billion at US$1:RMB7.8) last year alone, making it the fifth-leading GDP city in the mainland, after only Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Many leading Taiwanese electronics manufacturers including BenQ Corp. have opened manufacturing facilities in Suzhou.

source & copyright: CENS