Strengthening Workforce Development and Innovation 

The Electronic Components Industry Association (ECIA) unites key players in the electronics sector to address issues important to all of us. ECIA’s mission is to promote and improve the business environment for the authorized sale of electronic components. This leading organization works to strengthen the supply chain through advocacy, education, standards development, and collaboration among manufacturers, representatives, and distributors.

Since 2010, Micro Commercial Components (MCC) has enjoyed being a member of this essential organization through team engagement across several events and initiatives. Our ECIA collaboration reflects a shared commitment to excellence focused on ongoing optimization, workforce development, and STEM education. 

“MCC’s collaboration with ECIA is vital to our mission of continuous improvement and industry leadership. The PACE program, market intelligence surveys, and other resources are invaluable in enhancing team expertise and staying ahead of market trends. Our membership ensures we deliver value to customers while contributing to the electronics sector.”

— Pamela Cheng, General Manager, MCC

MCC actively engages with ECIA to enhance our operations and our industry through:

Leveraging ECIA Resources for Employee Development

Whether we're onboarding new hires or enhancing ongoing skill development, ECIA’s Paul Andrews Continuous Education (PACE) program is an invaluable resource in developing and training our employees. For example, MCC Director of Operations/Digital, Eric Schneider, leads weekly PACE sessions with customer service representatives (CSRs), so team members gain essential industry knowledge, such as:

• Terminology 
• Processes
• Market dynamics  

We’re also expanding our internal training library, integrating insights from ECIA surveys and PACE materials into corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs.

Enhancing Industry Intel via the ECIA (ECST) Survey

As an active participant in ECIA’s market intelligence programs, MCC is an early adopter of the Electronic Component Sales Trends (ECST) monthly survey. Commercial Marketing Director, Cassia Ong, oversees our involvement, ensuring input is provided for product categories where we have expertise and add value.

The crucial lead time and customer demand data gathered through the ECST survey enables us to track trends, strengthening our ability to respond proactively to market changes.

Networking & Sharing Knowledge at ECIA Events

Our team members regularly attend key events where we can connect with industry peers, meet with distributors, learn, and join discussions on vital topics in the electronics sector:

• ECIA Executive Conference - held in the fall, this event brings together senior leaders to learn, address pressing issues, and collaborate on what’s next in power electronics.
• EDS Leadership Summit - held in the spring, the summit facilitates business-building relationships and dialogue, encouraging strategic alignment among players in the supply chain.
• Webinars - frequent participation in ECIA webinars helps us stay current on emerging trends, regulatory changes, and best practices.  
  
  

Contributing to Councils and Committees

To support organizational and industry goals, MCC team members hold influential roles within ECIA councils and committees:

• Manufacturing Council: This group focuses on challenges specific to electronic component manufacturing — from supply chain issues and quality standards to regulatory compliance and technological advancements. Sales Director, Mass Market, Vahid Farashahi, represents MCC as an interest group member, enabling us to contribute to solutions that benefit the broader market.
• Industry Recruiting Committee: Digital Marketing Director, Sannah Vinding, advances committee initiatives by co-creating impactful recruitment videos and participating in workforce surveys to attract and retain talent in the electronics sector.
  
  

Earning ECIA Booster Club Membership for Exceptional Engagement

We’re thrilled to be included in the ECIA Member Booster Club for 2024! This honor is based solely on active engagement in giving back to the electronics community by supporting ECIA through everything from serving on committees and offering sponsorships to utilizing PACE resources and completing industry surveys.

Empowering STEM Education Through FIRST Robotics Sponsorships

MCC invests in the future of engineering by sponsoring two FIRST^® Robotics Competition (FRC) teams: the RoboBlazers and Hawks on the Horizon. To compete, these high schoolers take on real-world STEM challenges, collaborate with team members and competitors, and work alongside mentors as they design, build, and program robots. Win or lose, these young innovators experience critical thinking and teamwork that inspires them to pursue careers in engineering and technology.

Advancing the Industry’s Future Together 

As the leader in advocacy and development in power electronics, ECIA uses a multi-pronged approach to moving the industry forward. MCC’s relationship with ECIA is more than just membership — it empowers us to play a greater role in shaping the future of electronics. The insights and opportunities provided support business growth, help us develop skills in the workforce, and promote STEM education.