The Consumer Electronics Association’s (CEA®) 2013 International CES event was held last month. According to the CEA, “Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CEA, delivered the State of the Consumer Electronics (CE) Industry address. Shapiro projected that CE industry revenues will reach a record-high $209.6 billion, domestically, up nearly 3% from an estimated $203.9 billion for 2012.… Shapiro also cited innovation as the cornerstone to global industry and economic growth.”

In addition, Electronics West will be held this month (February 12-14) at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA. According to UBM Canon, the event organizer, “The West Coast electronics markets represent 19% of the nation’s entire electronics output, and its key sectors include aerospace/avionics, defense, instrumentation, telecom, computers/IT, transportation, and medical electronics. Electronics is California’s largest industry, which is not surprising, considering that electronics is the nation’s second-largest industry after food manufacturing.” Additional event details are available at www.canontradeshows.com/expo/ewest13.

As electronics OEMs continually update their manufacturing procedures in order to improve quality and reduce costs, adhesives, sealants, and coatings are playing an increasingly important role. “In medical, defense, aerospace, industrial or transportation applications that support high-reliability or mission-critical functions, the failure of an adhesive, coating or encapsulant can have dire consequences,” write Timothy Walsh, Michael Platts and James DiBurro in this issue.

To learn more about how our industry can support electronics applications, read “Adhesives, Sealants and Horseshoe Nails” and listen to my exclusive podcast with Timothy Walsh.

ANNOUNCEMENT
I’m excited to announce the appointment of our new publisher, Donna Campbell. Donna was instrumental in the development and launch of ASI 20 years ago, and she has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the publishing industry. She also serves as publisher and East Coast sales representative for our sister publication, Paint & Coatings Industry (PCI), posts she has held since 1992.

Sales representatives remain unchanged. Donna can be contacted at (610) 650-4050 or campbelld@bnpmedia.com. Please join me in welcoming her back to the ASI family!