SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY

When more than 600 U.S. electronics companies were polled recently on the topic of international competitiveness, 95% said they thought the industry is having serious problems competing abroad.

Yet, just 59% of the companies polled said they thought their own firms have a problem, according to the survey conducted for Electronic Packaging and Production magazine.

Ron Pound, the magazine’s editor, said he believes the survey raises questions about how the competitiveness problem is perceived by U.S. firms. “Who really has the problem?” Pound asked. “Is it all of the electronics industry or just certain segments? Are some people failing to recognize that American competitiveness affects their companies?”

Pound will be the moderator for a panel discussion on global competition Monday as part of the National Electronics Packaging & Production Conference trade show being held Feb. 22-25 at the Anaheim Marriott Hotel.