EMS@C-LEVEL

I sit down with Chris, the  CTO of Worthington Assembly at APEX 2024 and explore the significance of a highly skilled workforce in maintaining technical excellence within the industry. Chris's insights offer a  glimpse into the  operations of Worthington Assembly, where their team's expertise is not just a foundation but a magnet attracting long-term customer partnerships, especially pri...

Discover the secrets behind turning economic adversity into a global business triumph with Mukesh Vasani, the visionary behind Aimtron's rise from a modest 2009 startup to a $72 million EMS industry leader. In this interview, filmed on location at APEX 2024, we uexplore Aimtron's strategic expansions, from a 15,000 square foot facility to a global player with over 200,000 square feet and...

Embark on an entrepreneurial journey with Allison Budvarson, COO and Co-Founder of Out of the Box, as she recounts the transformative leap from a humble garage startup to a flourishing contract manufacturing powerhouse. Alongside her husband, Allison has not only pioneered a business model that harmonizes the agility of rapid prototyping with the consistency of production for local OEMs, but also...

Uncover the  journey of All Circuits with their visionary leader Bruno Racault, as we navigate the ever-changing landscape of automotive electronics manufacturing. From a bold strategic pivot towards electric vehicles to the integration of cutting-edge automation, Bruno shares the roadmap that drove All Circuits to become a tier-one powerhouse. Learn how they harnessed the regionalization trend an...

Uncover the strategic  moves in building a global manufacturing footprint with Paul Jona, President and CEO of VEXOS in our latest episode, as we delve into their newest addition: a 40,000 square foot factory in Juarez, Mexico. Learn how this move is a response to the shifting sands of geopolitics, global trade and what it signals for the future of manufacturing in the Americas. We take you behind...

With high reliability markets at the forefront, our insightful guest, Joachim Verhegghe, plant director of ACB Dandermonde, paints a picture of the changing dynamic of the printed circuit board fabrication market. Joachim sheds light on how premium sectors are willing to pay more for locally manufactured products and the potential role of automation in the industry. PCB@C-Level was generously host...

In this interview filmed on location at Productronica 2023, I speak to Steve Driver, an old friend and a seasoned industry veteran with a wealth of knowledge and insights into the evolution of the PCB industry and its shift towards sustainability. Join me as Steve shares his experiences from his tenure at Jiva Materials, where they're pioneering a soluble PCB laminate, to his role at Studio 2...

Our guest this episode, Michael Müller, CEO of Polytron Print, is running a successful mid-sized PCB production company in Germany and defying the industry's decline. We delve into a candid conversation about the value of "Made in Germany", the trend of reshoring, and how a commitment to high-quality and flexible production propels Polytron Print’s success. Michael imparts his wisdo...

Ever wonder how a multinational team spanning across Sweden, Japan, France, and the Czech Republic plans their R&D to ensure they deliver game-changing solutions for their customers? This episode sees us chatting with Robert Helleday, Mycronic's Head of Research & Development, who offers a glimpse into their strategic R&D planning which leverages diverse perspectives and skill set...

Prepare yourself for a captivating conversation with Marcus Leitgeb, the head of R&D at AT&S, a global leader in the world of PCB and IC substrate manufacturing. We start by exploring AT&S's impressive manufacturing footprint that reaches from their homeland of Austria to China, Korea, and India.  Markus, with his 22 years of R&D experience, provides a unique perspective on th...

We step into the intricate world of tech industry, where efficiency and reliability are the most sought-after traits. In this interview, filmed on location at Productronica 2023, our  guest, Chris Nash of Indium Corporation, shares his wealth of knowledge. We untangle the complexities of production, zooming in on e-mobility, servers and medical electronics, while unearthing the significance of ele...

Grab your headphones and hit play to hear our conversation with Gerard van Dierendon from Unimicron, a global PCB manufacturing leader. We venture into a deep discussion about the shifting trends in manufacturing industries. Notably, we touch on the topic of reshoring, which has been fueled by geopolitical concerns and supply chain security, but we find that not all industries share the same senti...

We're exploring how to unlock the power of data in manufacturing with insights from our special guest, Michaela, Sales Manager SMT from Critical Manufacturing, the MES sector of ASMPT. Michaela walks us through the transformative journey of the company post-acquisition, discussing how their deep knowledge of the SMT area and collaboration with ASMPT  have significantly enhanced their operatio...

In this interview with Clemens Jargon, Senior VP High Flex at Mycronic AB, we discover how Mycronic's dynamic and bold innovations and solutions are changing the industry through their advanced processes. With over three decades of experience, their diverse portfolio that includes screen printing, inkjet printing, material handling and storage systems, and a brand new pick-and-place machine,...

Get ready to uncover the intricate dynamics of the European PCB industry as we converse with industry leader, Thomas Michels of ILFA. Thomas provides an intimate look at the sector, highlighting challenges and opportunities, such as reshoring efforts and the fight to stay competitive in the global marketplace. We delve into the changing currents of customer tendencies, the role of the ZVEI in prom...

If you've wondered why reshoring isn't quite hitting the marks we all anticipated, this engaging discussion with special guests, Michael Velmenden from CMS Electronics and Michael Knöferle from BMK Group, is for you. We delve into the inflexibility and opacity of today's supply chains, spotlighting the hurdles faced by EMS companies in maintaining a firm grip on inventory and cash f...

My guest, Prettl CEO Carsten Ellermeier shares his insights on the challenges, trends, and future projections of this rapidly changing sector. Carsten’s experiences leading a family-owned business, grounded in cable assembly, plastic injection, and electronic assembly, offers an invaluable perspective to anyone keen on understanding this volatile industry.  This episode is a deep-dive into the sta...

Ever wondered how to maintain the delicate balance between short-term and long-term goals in the face of an economic disruption? ASMPT CFO Katie Xu brings her vast expertise and unique insights to this discussion. With both the SMT and the semiconductor sectors being notoriously cyclical, Katie explains how ASMPT navigate the ups and downs of this vibrant sector. She also explains the importance o...

This interview offers you a deep dive into the world of high-volume, high-mix, and NPI manufacturing as Mycronic's Vice President of Global Sales Kevin Clue explore the latest innovation, the new A40 machine. Kevin shares intriguing insights into the cutting-edge technology that drives this product and sheds light on the global collaborative effort behind its development. We also delve into M...

In this panel, filmed on location at Productronica 2023, we uncover the  state of the European printed circuit board (PCB) industry. Joined by our insightful guests Dieter Weiss of in4ma, Dirk Stans of Eurocircuits and Michael Müller of Polytron-Print, we probe the alarming statistics that show Europe’s share of the global PCB manufacturing at a mere 2.2%. Down from over 20% two decades ago. Hear...

Imagine a future where the PCB industry thrives in Europe. That's the vision of Nicolas Schweizer, CEO of Schweitzer Electronic, who joins me to explore the potential of the European PCB industry. We dissect the crucial need for ramping PCB production domestically and the hurdles imposed by a shortage of skilled workforce. Delving into the realm of automation and artificial intelligence, Nico...

Join us as we explore the inner workings of prototype manufacturing with our guest, Dirk Stans from Eurocircuits. This episode explores the crucial role of PCBs in the European supply chain, offering a glimpse into the agile strategies employed by Eurocircuits to retain their market position as a preferred supplier to engineers and designers. Learn how Eurocircuits overcomes hurdles like talent re...

I discuss the industry's trends and forecast for 2024 with Aegis Software CEO Jason Spera, live from Productronica 2023. We exchange thoughts on how the economic climate is shaping buying patterns and how software automation is becoming a new industry backbone, tackling talent scarcity and turnover. The second half of this conversation shifts gears towards the world of AI and Industry 4.0, as...

Want to get a pulse on the European PCB industry? You've landed in just the right place! Our guest, André Bodegom, Managing Director of Adeon Technologies and our host for this week, offers an intriguing perspective on the current state and future trends of this constantly evolving industry. Together, we navigate through the increasing role of automation and data tracking in PCB manufacturing...

KATEK Group CTRO Petra Becker provides some eye-opening insights that promise to make  EMS more efficient, reliable and competitive. Join us as we talk through the supply chain management and digital transformation, exploring how KATEK Group has created unprecedented transparency from suppliers to customers with strategic adoptions of digital tools.  Petra delves into how KATEK Group's digita...