EMS@C-LEVEL

Europe's defense industrial base stands at a critical inflection point. Military experts warn we have just three to five years to strengthen Europe's defense capabilities before facing potentially devastating security challenges. I talked about these trends and the European response with Kitron Group's President and CEO, Peter Nilsson and Managing Director of Kitron AS, Hans Petter...

Lou Hughes, President and CEO of IMI, brings us inside the evolving world of global electronics manufacturing where uncertainty has become the only certainty. From his perspective leading a major EMS provider through turbulent times, Hughes shares candid insights about how companies are adapting to constant disruption. The conversation opens with a frank assessment of tariff uncertainties and thei...

In this compelling conversation, Sanjay Huprikar shares insights into his expanded role overseeing IPC's global strategy across Europe, India, Southeast Asia, the US, and Canada. As the newly appointed Chief Global Officer for an association serving a $3 trillion global industry, Huprikar offers a unique perspective on how trade associations must evolve to serve increasingly complex, multinat...

Economic uncertainty looms large over the manufacturing landscape as tariffs, interest rates, and geopolitical tensions reshape global supply chains. The slight contraction in Q1 economic growth masks an underlying reality - demand remains relatively stable, but manufacturers face difficult decisions about where and when to invest in new capacity. I unpack this and so much more with IPC Chief Econ...

Manufacturing stands at a crossroads, caught between technological opportunity and geopolitical uncertainty. Speaking with Augusto Vilarinho Head of Global Sales at Critical Manufacturing at APEX 2025, we dive into how manufacturers are navigating today's complex landscape while preparing for tomorrow's challenges. The contrast between European and American manufacturing approaches revea...

Manufacturing landscapes are constantly evolving, and few understand this better than Dave Spehar, Managing Director of InCap's US operation. Speaking from the Creative Electron booth at APEX 2025, Dave offers a candid look at the post-acquisition journey since July 2023 that has propelled their business to record performance. Cultural alignment emerges as the cornerstone of their successful...

What truly sets successful electronics manufacturing companies apart in times of global uncertainty? Find out as I speaks with Jay Patel of Amtech at APEX 2025 in this thought-provoking conversation about leadership, adaptation, and competitive advantage in the EMS industry. The past year has brought extraordinary change – from political shifts to escalating trade wars – yet Patel maintains the re...

The electronics manufacturing landscape is undergoing a significant transformation as companies seek global capabilities and strategic advantages in a post-pandemic world. Chaim from Lincoln International, the largest global investment bank focused on private capital markets, shares exclusive insights from decades of orchestrating EMS mergers and acquisitions. After a flurry of private equity-driv...

Manufacturing excellence demands continuous adaptation, a truth Patrick Stimpert from Matrix Limited embodies as he shares his company's remarkable journey during our conversation at APEX 2025. Following a standout year, Matric has  expanded their manufacturing footprint by 30%, completely resetting their converted school building facility with a strategic horseshoe workflow design. What make...

Tariffs on Monday, none on Tuesday? Welcome to the new reality for Mexican manufacturers navigating the unpredictable trade landscape after recent political changes. In this conversation with Jorge Quijano, Head of Sales for Repstronics at APEX 2025, we dive into the real challenges facing companies operating south of the border—and the innovative strategies they're employing to stay competit...

The AI revolution in electronics manufacturing is gaining momentum, but navigating between hype and practical applications remains challenging. In this candid conversation from APEX 2025, Luminovo Co-Founder Timon Ruban shares a refreshingly honest perspective on AI's evolution in the industry. Timon recounts Luminovo's journey from AI consultancy to disillusionment with the technology,...

The manufacturing landscape is changing rapidly, with economic headwinds creating a fascinating divide among electronics producers. While some companies hesitate in the face of tariff uncertainties and political tensions, others boldly expand capacity and embrace AI to solve their most pressing challenges. This dichotomy forms the foundation of an insightful conversation with Joel Scutchfield, Gen...

Manufacturing is going global, but "Made in USA" still matters. Dr. Bill Cardoso reveals how Creative Electron's groundbreaking joint venture with Unicomp is redefining X-ray inspection technology while maintaining their American manufacturing roots. In this interview with Eric Miscoll on the show floor of IPC APEX 2025, Bill shares how the partnership creates a 1,200-employee globa...

The landscape of European electronics manufacturing is undergoing substantial shifts as geopolitical tensions rise and tariff uncertainties loom large. In this revealing conversation, NOTE CEO Johannes Lind-Widestam  and  Kitron CEO Peter Nilsson share their frontline perspectives on navigating these turbulent waters while maintaining the exceptional performance that has become synonymous with Nor...

With tariffs monopolizing an extraordinarily rapid news cycle, I ask IPC Chief Economist and regular guest, Shawn DuBravac, to appear in this impromptu episode of EMS & The Economist late last evening (around 10:30pm in Washington DC). Tariffs are changing by the hour, not just by the day. What began as reciprocal measures against specific countries has morphed into a sectorial approach target...

What happens when women bring their authentic selves to male-dominated technical fields? Transformative leadership emerges. At APEX 2025, I spoke with Jody Urquhart, the standup comedian and motivation speaker giving the keynote at IPC's Women in Electronics Reception, about her provocatively titled message, "This Would Be Funny If It Wasn't Happening to Me". Rather than adapti...

NOTE: This show was recorded on April 8th, days after President Trump's "Liberation Day" Tariffs had been announced, but before a 90 day pause was applied to those same reciprocal tariffs, apart from those on China. The comments and opinions reflect this point in time. Sweeping tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical tensions have manufacturers worldwide questioning thei...

A fascinating glimpse into the rapidly shifting landscape of global electronics manufacturing reveals dramatic contrasts between regional approaches and priorities. From India's emergence as the "poster child" for end-to-end electronics ecosystems to Europe's struggles with cohesive industrial policies, this conversation with IPC's Sanjay Huprikar, filmed on location at AP...

The economic landscape once again shifted dramatically with the White House's "Liberation Day" announcements, and Shawn DuBravac, Chief Economist of IPC, brings clarity to the chaos. His analysis reveals how the newly announced tariffs - including a surprising 46% on Vietnamese goods and 34% on Chinese imports - are already causing companies to pause production, announce layoffs, an...

A remarkable transformation is sweeping through European defense policy, creating new opportunities and challenges for the electronics industry. In this revealing conversation with Alison James, Senior Director Europe, Government Relations at IPC, we explore the European Union's dramatic shift in defense strategy, which she describes as a genuine "sea change" in approach. The EU has...

The global electronics industry stands at a crossroads of political uncertainty and economic volatility. Few understand this challenging landscape better than Chris Mitchell, Vice President of Government Relations at IPC, who shared valuable insights with me during this candid conversation recorded at APEX 2025. Chris, who oversees both government relations and industry intelligence programs, reve...

Trade policy turbulence is creating unprecedented challenges for electronics manufacturers as they navigate a rapidly shifting landscape of tariffs, material cost increases, and regulatory uncertainty. Speaking from the final day of APEX 2025, Richard Cappetto, Senior Director North American Government Relations for IPC, reveals the behind-the-scenes advocacy work happening in Washington to repres...

Supply chain disruption, tariff uncertainty, and the quest for manufacturing stability take center stage in this enlightening conversation with Philip Gulley, Chief Strategy Office and Co-Founder of Cofactr. Recorded at APEX 2025, the discussion reveals how manufacturers are finally clarity amid prolonged uncertainty about global trade policies. "The unfortunate situation is there's a lo...

Ever wonder how large manufacturing organizations balance standardization with maintaining close customer relationships? Mike MacKenzie, recently appointed at Creation, pulls back the curtain on this delicate balancing act during a revealing conversation at APEX 2025. Creation has built its reputation through acquiring smaller, customer-focused manufacturing units. Rather than imposing rigid corpo...

The electronics manufacturing world stands at a critical intersection of talent challenges, AI transformation, and global trade uncertainties. This fascinating conversation with IPC CEO John Mitchell, recorded on the final day of APEX 2025, dives deep into how industry leaders are navigating these complex waters. Talent acquisition and development remains the industry's perennial challenge. J...