Electronics industry plans pow-wow to discuss lack of technological innovation.

The International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (iNEMI) is convening a forum of senior-level executives and government policymakers on Sept. 15-16 to launch an initiative to stimulate innovation and manufacturing research in the electronics industry.

The event, which is being

cosponsored by the Electronic Industries Alliance and the Semiconductor Industry Association, will "create an R&D vision that will help focus limited R&D resources in order to ensure development of the technologies required to maintain the growth of the electronics industry over the next decade," says iNEMI. Rep. Frank Wolf R-Va.), chair of the House Appropriations Committee in charge of funding many federal science and technology programs, will deliver opening remarks.

While conducting research for its most recent technology roadmaps, iNEMI and the hundreds of people involved found that there is not enough new technology in the pipeline for the industry to utilize. There are "serious concerns about the future competitiveness of our industry infrastructure," says iNEMI vice president Bob Pfahl. Consistent downsizing of the industrial research infrastructure over the past decade has led to the creation of fewer disruptive technologies.

"If these challenges are not addressed with innovative solutions, the combined viability of the electronics manufacturing industry will weaken," says Pfahl. "It is critical that we aggressively encourage academic and institutional R&D centers to focus on innovation to meet technology needs and identified R&D gaps."

iNEMI is seeking the participation of technology executives of major electronics companies, chief executive officers and technologists from emerging high-tech firms, government laboratory executives, policymakers in key government agencies, venture capital leaders and university-based researchers to participate in the day-and-a-half event at iNEMI headquarters in Herndon, Va. Among the topics to be discussed are innovation challenges, technology roadmaps for emerging sectors, product development and manufacturing strategies, educational issues, R&D priorities and recommendations for potential funding mechanisms.

"We see [this conference] addressing how we can stimulate innovation," says Pfahl. The event will provide "valuable input" for the upcoming National Conference on Science, Innovation and Manufacturing, scheduled for December 6 in Washington, D.C.

"As manufacturing capabilities and jobs continue to migrate to low-cost regions, innovation in product development and manufacturing technologies to launch the next generation of high-tech companies becomes ever more critical," adds Sundar Kamath, chair of the iNEMI Innovation Committee and senior vice president for Sanmina-SCI. "Sustained investments to promote such innovation, be it through federal, industrial or venture capital sources, is of utmost importance. Through this forum, we hope to focus management attention on strategic technology innovation issues and to develop a set of funding priorities to help ensure continued competitiveness of the electronics industry in high-cost regions such as the U.S."

For information on the event, go to http://www.inemi.org/cms/ calendar/iNEMI_innovation_forum. html.