Product Spotlight - The Basics of Pressure Transducers

1. A pressure transducer is a sensor used to measure pressure. Depending on where you put it and how you connect it, a pressure transducer can tell you the pressure in a pipe or tank, the weight of an object, or even the depth of fluid above it. Most industrial pressure transducers are made of two technical parts, a transducer and a transmitter, inside a third, equally important part, the housing.

2. A transducer converts a physical action--often a vibration--into an electrical signal. Microphones and the pickups on an electric guitar, which both convert sound waves into electrical signals, are transducers. Pressure transducers, then, convert pressure--air pressure, fluid pressure, oil pressure, etc.--into electrical signals.

Global Minimum Tax (FAQ) - Part 2 - Jurisdiction, Industries & Tax Incentives

 1. On 10 July, the G20 endorsed the key components of the two pillar approach to international tax reform that was recently endorsed by 131 countries and jurisdictions, constituting the vast majority of the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework (IF) on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS). Each of the two pillars addresses a separate concern.

2. Pillar One targets the largest multi-national groups focussing initially on those with EUR20 billion of consolidated revenue or more and net profits in excess of 10% (profit before tax/revenue) and will require them to pay tax in the locations where their customers and users are located. A formulaic approach will be used to allocate a percentage of profits between each jurisdiction. Pillar One should effectively require in scope multinationals to pay at least some tax in the markets they interact with. 

3. Pillar Two, the key components of which are commonly referred to as the "Global Minimum Tax" or "GloBE" and which is the focus of this FAQ, introduces a minimum effective tax rate of at least 15%, calculated based on a specific ruleset. Groups with an effective tax rate below the minimum in any particular jurisdiction would be required to pay top-up tax to their head office location. The tax would be applied to groups with revenue of EUR750 million or more, making it far more widely applicable than Pillar One.

4. The Global Minimum Tax attempts to limit tax competition by introducing a globally uniform floor, below which the effect of low tax rates or fiscal policy measures would be largely obviated.

Product Spotlight - Future of Printed Circuit Boards

1. Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) today are tiny, multilayered, complex systems that hardly resemble their earliest ancestors. They're also produced at a much higher and more efficient rate than ever before thanks to sophisticated design software and manufacturing processes. Even 10 years ago, microvias, HDI and FPGAs were only seen in the most expensive designs, yet are now readily available to designers worldwide.

2. As technology and consumer demand grows and develops, however, so must PCBs. As the basis of all electronic devices, PCBs feel intense pressure for development and growth. With consumers pushing for slimmer and faster devices, and with industries seeking improved functionality, the PCB must continue developing into the future.

3. While modern PCBs are produced at incredible rates with astounding complexity, there is always room for development. Whether it's in the shape of the PCB itself or the accessories attached directly to the board, consumers are continuously pushing for new and different PCBs and PCB functions.

4. There's also plenty of room to grow in the manufacturing process itself as increased PCB complexity introduces new challenges for manufacturing companies. That's why most predictions for the printed circuit board's future focus strongly on the following areas.

Global Minimum Tax (FAQ) - Part 1 - IIR, UTPR, STTR, Rules, Affected Parties

 1. On 10 July, the G20 endorsed the key components of the two pillar approach to international tax reform that was recently endorsed by 131 countries and jurisdictions, constituting the vast majority of the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework (IF) on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS). Each of the two pillars addresses a separate concern.

2. Pillar One targets the largest multi-national groups focussing initially on those with EUR20 billion of consolidated revenue or more and net profits in excess of 10% (profit before tax/revenue) and will require them to pay tax in the locations where their customers and users are located. A formulaic approach will be used to allocate a percentage of profits between each jurisdiction. Pillar One should effectively require in scope multinationals to pay at least some tax in the markets they interact with. 

3. Pillar Two, the key components of which are commonly referred to as the "Global Minimum Tax" or "GloBE" and which is the focus of this FAQ, introduces a minimum effective tax rate of at least 15%, calculated based on a specific ruleset. Groups with an effective tax rate below the minimum in any particular jurisdiction would be required to pay top-up tax to their head office location. The tax would be applied to groups with revenue of EUR750 million or more, making it far more widely applicable than Pillar One.

4. The Global Minimum Tax attempts to limit tax competition by introducing a globally uniform floor, below which the effect of low tax rates or fiscal policy measures would be largely obviated.