Critical Links

EDN’s Critical Links blog returns this week with a new set of contributors from the electronics supply chain.

First at bat is Gary Nevison, Newark's spokesperson and customer interface on legislation that affects the electronics industry, such as the ROHS (all variations around the world, including China ROHS), REACH, EuP, and WEEE directives.

At Newark's sister company, Farnell, Gary is based in the UK, but he is a truely global executive. As part of his work for the distributor and its Americas arm, Nevison has spoken extensively at legislation and environmental seminars throughout Europe, North America, and Australia. He also writes a regular, interactive column in both the UK and China.

With 32 years service at Farnell, including more than 20 years in product development, Gary has widespread experience in the electronic components industry. Nevison sits on the AFDEC (Association of Franchised Distributors of Electronic Components) Council, representing UK distribution, and acting as the elected chairperson for its dedicated ROHS development team. During 2005, Nevison was also chairman of the European organisation DMASS (Distributors and Manufacturers Association of Semiconductor Specialists) and today sits on the board of Electronics Yorkshire, helping businesses in the UK, in particular training on legislative matters.

Gary’s knowledge of the electronics supply chain from both a design and supply/demand standpoints is evident. He’s also quite a humorous person; I found myself spending more time chuckling in a recent interview with him than questioning him (my favourite unused quote from our most recent call about the new changes coming to EU ROHS: EDN: So we can expect these new ROHS rules sometime over the usual June/July EU timeframe? Gary: I’m not sure exactly when, but I plan to be on a long holiday when they come out!).

Please join me in welcoming Gary to EDN’s electronics supply chain community. And check out his first blog post, “Just when you thought it was safe!”

--Suzanne Deffree, EDN Managing Editor, News