EMS@C-LEVEL

Bruno Racault, President of ALL Circuit joins me on the IPC booth at Electronica 2024 to unravel the intricacies of navigating the electronics industry amidst geopolitical tensions and economic unpredictability, which Bruno describes as chaos. We explore how ALL Circuit’s recent CSR report showcases impressive advancements in diversity, sustainability, and corporate governance, reflecting not only...

Prepare for a compelling exploration into the world of global manufacturing as I sit down with Kitron CEO Peter Nilsson at Electronica 2024. How does a leading company like Kitron navigate the shifting tides of geopolitical unrest and emerging protectionist markets? Peter shares valuable insights into these challenges and reveals Kitron's strategic move towards the U.S. market. We discuss the...

I join Bo Lybæk GPV CEO on their booth at Electronica 2024 to unravel the complexities of global strategy in a world rife with political and economic uncertainties. How do businesses plan for the year 2025 with the recent US elections and potential rate cuts on the horizon? Bo offers a glimpse into GPV's strategic expansion efforts across Southeast Asia, Slovakia, and Mexico.  He sheds light...

Explore the strategies behind staying ahead in the global market as I chat with Markus Aschenbrenner from Zollner. Markus unpacks how the inventory bubble, geopolitical influences,  inflation and interest rate shifts, and a tilt toward protectionism, are shaping manufacturing strategies. He also shares Zollner's recent moves in broadening their reach, such as acquiring EIT and Bluechips, to c...

What strategic moves  transform a company from 1980s cable manufacturing roots into a global EMS powerhouse? Join me in our electronica studio, hosted by IPC, for an insightful conversation with Jeroen Tuik, CEO of Connect Group, who shares the company's journey through strategic mergers and their recent rebranding efforts.  Discover how Connect Group is setting its sights on global expansion...

Fresh from their 2024 On Tour of Eastern European EMS companies, Eric Miscoll, Publisher of EMSNOW and Dieter Weiss, Founder of in4ma share their thoughts with Philip Stoten in this must-hear interview recorded at electronica.  The conversation begins with Dieter’s findings from his recent European PCB research, including speculation about why an EMS company they visited in Lithuania is convinced...

Uncover the path to digital transformation in electronics manufacturing with Andrew Scheuermann, Cofounder and CEO from Arch Systems. Andrew shares invaluable insights into how Arch, with 85 professionals in 13 countries, is partnering with major EMS players like Flex, Jabil, and Plexus to redefine efficiency. Learn how their innovative Action Manager tool is revolutionizing the transition from  d...

Explore the labyrinth of the global political and economic world with Philip Stoten and Shawn DuBravac, Chief Economist for the IPC. You'll gain a nuanced understanding of how U.S. elections ripple through global investments, and why a peaceful transition of power is more critical than ever. Listen as we unpack how international elections shift investment strategies, spotlighting the unique c...

I explore machine behavior with our special guest, Vitor Barros from iRaptor, as he introduces us to their revolutionary 4D profiler. This episode provides insights into how temperature and vibration mapping are transforming quality control and equipment maintenance on production floors. Vitor walks us through the meticulous development process of this Portuguese-made, handcrafted technology and s...

Join us as we unveil how Priyansha Bagaria, founder of Loopr.ai, is steering the AI revolution in manufacturing. From her roots in a family-run electrical insulation business in India to pioneering AI solutions, Priyansha shares insightful anecdotes about tackling quality control hurdles in the aerospace and automotive sectors. Our conversation unravels how AI not only minimizes the cost of inspec...

Join me as I talk to Aaron Shelton from WIT, a pioneering Japanese company, to uncover the secrets behind their inspection solutions. Aaron explains how their technology serves as a critical verification tool for Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) systems, enabling operators to make more accurate judgments and significantly reducing the risk of defects escaping. Discover how their system enhances...

What if a grassroots event could transform into a major industry powerhouse? Join us as Jaime takes us through SMTA Guadalajara's rise from a small tabletop event in a hotel to a major trade show, showcasing how collaboration among industry professionals, including competitors, can drive innovation and growth.  Jaime also shares his firsthand insights on the vibrant automotive sector in north...

How are EMS companies navigating the tumultuous world of electronics manufacturing and supply chain, as recent disruptions like port closures and hurricanes put the industry's resilience to the test yet again. Join Shawn DuBravac, IPC chief economist and futurist, as we tackle the resolutions of these challenges while dipping our toes in the ongoing debates surrounding automation and jobs.  E...

Curious about how Hanwha transformed from a Samsung acquisition to an innovator in technology? Join me as Jonny Nichols, VP of Marketing for North America, shares the brand's  journey, offering insights into their strategic innovations and market growth. We chat about the challenges within the reshoring trend, and the need to optimize for floor space and performance for North American assembl...

Discover the game-changing advancements in stencil manufacturing with Brent Nolan, President & COO of Stentech Holdings as he explains the thinking behind their award-winning BluePrint technology. Learn how Stentech is tackling long-standing screen printing challenges with precision engineering and innovative solutions. Join Brent and I as we explore the evolution from traditional polymer coat...

Join me at SMTA Guadalajara 2024 as I sit down with industry expert and old friend Juan Arango, newly appointed at Head of SMT and Business Development at PARMI USA. Juan shares PARMI's strategic vision for expanding their footprint in the Americas, delving into their pioneering use of laser inspection technology that has been their focus since 1998. Hear firsthand how PARMI is leveraging its...

Meet John Tobin, México Manager for Quiptech, as he shares insights on how their own "Made in Mexico" technology is not only winning prestigious awards but also creating local jobs and boosting the Mexican market. Hear about their cutting-edge microfine pitch stencil cleaning roll and the celebrated Stannol solder brand. John takes us through Quiptech's impressive journey from its r...

What if you could streamline your supply chain and cut costs without sacrificing quality? Join us at SMTA Guadalajara 2024 as we chat with Justin Worden from ROCKA, who uncovers the secrets behind the company's rapid global expansion and its unique manufacturing strategy. Get an inside look at how ROCKA's focus on producing high-quality consumables like stencil rolls and ESD equipment in...

Discover the secrets behind SMTA's success in Mexico's booming electronics industry with insights from Tom Forsythe, a former board member of the SMTA, and Vice President of Kyzen Corporation, recoded on location at the SMTA Guadalajara 2024. Explore how SMTA's grassroots spirit has transformed a humble gathering into a powerhouse trade show rivaling international events like APEX a...

Can the Federal Reserve's interest rate cuts revive stagnant capital investment and business confidence? Join IPC Chief Economist Shawn DuBravac as we unravel the intricate dynamics shaping the North American economy in our latest episode of EMS & The Economist. Utilizing IPC data, we uncover persistent demand weakness in the manufacturing sector, underscored by poor book-to-bill ratios f...

What if cutting-edge technology could revolutionize the lives of children in need, especially those in refugee camps or  war-torn environments? Join 3DP4ME.org founder, Jason Szolomayer and I for a captivating conversation uncovering the incredible strides made in their first hearing project, supporting 52 children with customer hearing aids as well as with home visits and essential ongoing suppor...

Whether it was a chip crisis or fake news (spoiler, Dieter thinks the latter is more likely), how did the inventory bubble, inflation and a slow economy become a perfect storm for the EMS market, and what strategies can companies use to weather the storm? Check out this episode of EMS@C-Level, where Dieter Weiss (in4ma and Data4PCB) joins me to dissect the OEM behaviors that led to this artificial...

I ask IPC Chief Economist Shawn DuBravac, what's behind the latest stock market turmoil, as we dissect the sell-off of tech stocks that rocked the market. We explore the compelling factors driving this volatility, such as Yen carry trade and a comprehensive repricing of risk, while considering the broader context of global uncertainties like conflicts and a potentially slowing US economy.  As...

Want to understand how tariffs shape global trade and impact our industry as well as your daily purchases? In this deep dive, we explore the real-world consequences of tariffs on the electronics industry, specifically focusing on how measures like those implemented by the Trump administration and upheld by Biden have changed market dynamics.  From production shifts out of China to new beneficiarie...

Can a slowing economy reshape the future of the PCB and EMS sectors? Join me and Shawn DuBravac, Futurist and IPC's Chief Economist, to uncover the nuances of the current economic landscape in North America. Following the release of IPC data, Shawn provides a deep dive into the gradual softening of order books and the impact of working through backlogs amidst a decelerating economy. We also v...