BANNOCKBURN, Ill., USA, February 4, 2010 — Complacency with having survived the trials of 2009 is a naïve posture that, in 2010, will lead to continued struggles warns Walt Custer. The noted industry analyst and president of Custer Consulting Group will join IPC Director of Market Research Sharon Starr for the “Global Business Outlook: Where Do We Go Next?” keynote session at IPC APEX EXPO on Wednesday, April 7 in Las Vegas.

“If a company hasn’t been planning for the recovery,” Custer says, “it has considerable catching up to do or it will risk losing market position.” Custer will share his insights into the leading global indicators he tracks to help companies understand timing sensitivities for phasing in recovery plans.

Custer and Starr will provide forecasts and trends for electronics equipment and component markets and discuss how seasonal and cyclical trends affect the industry and the supply chain.

Starr will present the findings of the latest IPC market research and explain how companies can use this data to assess their own performance and identify promising markets. IPC’s market research studies show the latest trends in demand, production and industry-specific benchmarks for the PCB, EMS, process consumables, solder, assembly equipment and laminate industries.

In addition, Starr will preview a new series of industry market forecasts at IPC APEX EXPO. Focused on specific industry segments and product categories within the industries IPC serves, new forecasts are in development now for the materials and equipment, PCB, EMS and select OEM industry markets.

“It’s exciting to be able to offer this type of new data to the industry,” said Starr. As she explains, keeping track of economic indicators and specific market data can help companies be more nimble and competitive. She adds, “Any company, regardless of size, can create competitive advantages by watching the indicators and planning appropriately.”

The Global Business Outlook keynote session is free to all registrants of IPC APEX EXPO 2010. The world’s premier technical conference and exhibition for printed board design and manufacturing, electronics assembly and test, IPC APEX EXPO will take place at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Convention Center in Las Vegas, April 6–9, 2010. For more information, visit www.IPCAPEXEXPO.org.

# # #

About IPC

IPC (www.IPC.org) is a global trade association based in Bannockburn, Ill., dedicated to the competitive excellence and financial success of its 2,700 member companies which represent all facets of the electronics industry, including design, printed board manufacturing, electronics assembly and test. As a member-driven organization and leading source for industry standards, training, market research and public policy advocacy, IPC supports programs to meet the needs of an estimated $1.7 trillion global electronics industry. IPC maintains additional offices in Taos, N.M.; Arlington, Va.; Garden Grove, Calif.; Stockholm, Sweden; Moscow, Russia; and Shanghai and Shenzhen, China.