EMS@C-LEVEL

Tariffs changed the rules, but they also opened a door. I sit down with Stephane Klajzyngier, ALL Circuits' Deputy CEO, to unpack how merging with DBG transformed a strong European EMS into a truly global partner with the footprint, capital strength, and operational discipline to win in a volatile market. From Mexico and Tunisia to China, Vietnam, India, and Bangladesh, we break down why diversified manufacturing options beat single-country bets and how customers are now optimizing for total landed cost, duty exposure, and ramp speed. We get candid about integration: what it takes to align cultures and processes, how much “common DNA” you really need, and why being similar but not identical accelerates learning. The conversation drills into the realities of EMS scale—purchasing power for cutting-edge equipment, the cost of every new line, and why financial depth matters to OEMs who fear supplier failure more than unit price. Talent becomes a headline theme: attracting engineers, technicians, program managers, and quality leaders who can connect DFM, test, and compliance, while three design centers in France, Shenzhen, and Shanghai shape BOM strategy and component leverage long before production starts. RFQs are flooding in for two clear reasons: mid-sized international OEMs want a partner big enough to move programs across continents but attentive enough to prioritize them, and Asia-based companies entering western markets need guidance on compliance, nearshoring trade-offs, and duty-optimized routing. We also dig into automation lessons from China, where robotics must outperform extremely low labor costs, pushing smarter ROI thresholds, standardized work, and relentless continuous improvement. Looking ahead, the plan is focused and pragmatic: modernize EMEA for lower cost per placement, expand in North America as awards land, and explore an additional Asian site to deepen resilience. If you care about where to build, how to hedge tariff risk, and which levers truly move EMS cost and speed, this conversation delivers practical insight you can use. Subscribe, share with a colleague weighing footprint decisions, and leave a review to tell us what you want us to unpack next. EMS@C-Level is hosted by global inspection leaders Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Global Electronics Association (https://www.electronics.org) You can see video versions of all of the EMS@C-Level pods on our YouTube playlist.

EV adoption may be slower than hopes, but the manufacturing map is being redrawn in real time. I sit down with ALL Circuits CEO Bruno Racault to unpack how a DBG–ALL Circuits alliance is positioning a global EMS player to serve fast-growing demand in automotive electronics and data center hardware—while navigating supply gaps, policy twists, and a customer base that wants local build options without sacrificing cost or quality. Bruno breaks down Europe's move to roughly 50% hybrid and EV sales, the implications for power electronics and 800-volt systems, and the uncomfortable truth that not all components in global channels meet automotive standards. We talk through how a combined footprint spanning Europe, North Africa, the Americas, China, India, and Vietnam enables continent-level builds, access to competitive equipment, and smarter sourcing—paired with strict qualification to keep reliability high. He also shares why legacy thermal customers pose a butterfly-effect risk, and how new relationships with Chinese EV makers entering Europe could reshape program pipelines. Beyond EVs, we dive into the surge in AI and data center infrastructure, from high-layer count boards to thermal and power distribution challenges. The competitive field is widening as hyperscalers and major EMS firms jostle for position, creating openings for agile manufacturers who can pivot between sectors without losing yield or control. Bruno is candid about the limits of forecasting in a world of tariffs and shifting incentives, arguing for a design-for-agility approach: standardized lines, fast recipe swaps, robust MES, and a decisive bet on automation and AI in the factory to raise quality, speed, and transparency. If you’re tracking where EMS value is heading—direct OEM relationships, IP protection at the line, smarter global sourcing, and truly regionalized manufacturing—this conversation maps the terrain and the trade-offs. Subscribe, share with a colleague who’s wrestling with EV or AI hardware strategy, and leave a review with your biggest 2026 wildcard. EMS@C-Level is hosted by global inspection leaders Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Global Electronics Association (https://www.electronics.org) You can see video versions of all of the EMS@C-Level pods on our YouTube playlist.

What happens when founders decide legacy matters more than an easy exit? I sat down with Eurocircuits’ Founding Partner Dirk Stans to unpack a deal that keeps the company’s engineering DNA intact while unlocking the resources to scale. Instead of becoming the 'fifth wheel' of a sprawling industrial group, Eurocircuits becomes the strategic core of a new platform—built around its digitally native approach, dense customer orchestration, and hard-won process IP. Dirk and I explore the road to the partnership with Avedon Capital Partners: early talks with industrial buyers who didn’t quite grasp the uniqueness of the model, a healthy skepticism about private equity, and then a meeting with a team whose long-term thesis matched the founders’ own plan. This isn’t a three-to-five-year flip. It’s long-horizon thinking that respects continuity for 750 employees and thousands of customers. Day one, nothing breaks: management stays, customer interfaces stay, supplier relationships stay. What changes is pace, ambition, and the confidence to start a multi-year strategy knowing a thoughtful handover is built in. We also dig into why private equity is active in EMS despite modest EBITDA margins. Many EMS firms are self-financed and generate steady cash, and the category offers predictable mid-single-digit growth. But Dirk argues the essential point: finance should serve technology, not lead it. The real job isn’t trading components; it’s building reliable electronics with deep process understanding. That focus has kept Eurocircuits ahead, and with aligned capital, they aim to scale without losing what makes them special. If you care about succession, platform-building, and keeping engineering at the center of manufacturing, this conversation offers a clear, practical blueprint. If this resonated, follow the show, share with a colleague, and leave a quick review—what’s your take on PE as a force for long-term industrial growth? EMS@C-Level is hosted by global inspection leaders Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Global Electronics Association (https://www.electronics.org) You can see video versions of all of the EMS@C-Level pods on our YouTube playlist.

Factory data doesn’t transform a business until people do. Live from Productronica 2025, I dig into why a decade of Industry 4.0 felt slower than promised and how the tide is turning as engineers connect lines with Hermes, bridge legacy SMEMA with adapters, and elevate insights to the factory layer through CFX. Our guest, David Graham of 4IR.UK, has spent years pushing past vendor silos and championing a simple idea: the most valuable interface in manufacturing is still human-to-human. We break down what actually moved the needle—reliable machine APIs, repeatable data flows, and a pragmatic standards stack—and what didn’t, like bespoke one-offs that trapped value in custom code. The conversation tracks the journey from adjacency wins, such as SPI-to-printer feedback loops, to line-level stability and then to agentic AI that summarizes performance, accelerates quoting, and targets high-fit customers. Along the way, we examine why success stories remain hidden, how logos shifted from Industry 4.0 to AI without the necessary storytelling, and why internal “marketing” is really about keeping momentum and trust alive. Talent is the hinge. New grads attracted by real AI problems are joining experienced process engineers on the shop floor. When domain knowledge meets modern software, pilots become production. Standards like Hermes and CFX turn integration from a one-off chore into an asset, giving teams clean data they can trust for quality, yield, and cost improvements. If you’re wrestling with ROI, start small, measure fast, and let the wins compound. Subscribe, share this with a teammate who owns connectivity or quality, and leave a review with the one AI use case you want solved next. EMS@C-Level is hosted by global inspection leaders Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Global Electronics Association (https://www.electronics.org) You can see video versions of all of the EMS@C-Level pods on our YouTube playlist.

Crowded halls at Productronica set the scene, but the real action is the shift from isolated specialties to a connected electronics ecosystem. I sit down with Mike Buetow, President of PCEA (Printed Circuit Engineering Association  and Publisher of Circuits Assembly to talk about the throughline from PCB design to fabrication to assembly—and what it takes to build a workforce ready to carry that vision. From a 40-hour, practitioner-built PCB design curriculum to university partnerships and licensing, we trace how hands-on training and early outreach give students a clear path into hardware careers. We also address the “missing generation” myth with data and nuance. After the dot-com whiplash and offshoring, the mid-career band thinned, but a new wave under 30 is rising fast. That energy shows up at shows and in startups pushing EDA, manufacturing analytics, and AI. Culture matters: when young engineers see people like themselves on stage and in leadership, they lean in. Surprisingly, gaming and 3D thinking become strengths for layout and systems work—proof that talent pipelines don’t always look like we expect. Events are evolving to match the systems reality. PCB West and PCB East anchor the calendar, BCB Detroit connects with Wayne State’s training footprint, and PCB East 2026 co-locates with FPGA Horizons while adding a two-day assembly conference. The result is four days that unite PCB, FPGA, and assembly, backed by major vendors and distributors. This is ecosystem engineering—designers learn process limits, assemblers track new packages, and everyone aligns on yield, cost, and reliability before metal is cut. We challenge leaders on Industry 4.0 and AI: the tools exist, the data lakes are filling, but value appears only when management learns the systems, sets real problems, and empowers people to collaborate across silos. If you care about better DFM, faster ramps, and turning data into decisions, this conversation maps the path forward. Subscribe for more grounded talks with the people building the future of electronics, and leave a review to tell us what topic you want next. EMS@C-Level is hosted by global inspection leaders Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Global Electronics Association (https://www.electronics.org) You can see video versions of all of the EMS@C-Level pods on our YouTube playlist.

A Nordic acquisition with outsized impact: I sit down with Kitron Group President and CEO Peter Nilsson to unpack why bringing DeltaNordic into the Kitron family is more than a geographic play. It unlocks entrenched capability in electrical cabinets and control boards for combat vehicles and naval platforms, backed by fresh orders and the kind of incumbency that turns programs into multi-year revenue. We connect the dots between tier-one defense relationships, predictable volumes, and a growth path that targets 1.5 billion euros in top line by 2030. There's also an enthusiastic testimonial here for the great insight provided, and work done, by Shaan Tharani at MP Corporate Finance in supporting and advising Kitron in their M&A activity. What makes this strategy work is the one-company operating model. Shared production platforms, common equipment, unified processes, and the same training and incentives across sites build speed that scales. That cohesion pays off when a site faces an end-of-product-life issue or a customer shift; the group can redeploy talent, rebalance load, and protect margins. Peter explains how this approach turns footprint into agility, and why integration discipline is the quiet engine behind reliable delivery in defense and beyond. We also map the market terrain for 2026. Connectivity looks set for the fastest growth thanks to short product cycles and rapid innovation. Industrial shows a gentle rebound. Electrification holds steady after a surge, with data center-driven storage and grid upgrades still critical. Medical remains the smallest slice, but targeted moves into high-level assembly and carve-outs could unlock fresh value by letting OEMs focus on R&D and go-to-market while EMS partners scale manufacturing. Along the way, we discuss Europe’s M&A appetite, cash-rich balance sheets, and why selective acquisitions amplify organic growth rather than replace it. If you’re tracking defense supply chains, EMS strategy, or how standardized operations beat complexity, this conversation offers a clear view of what’s next. Follow, share with a colleague who watches the Nordic EMS space, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway so we can keep raising the bar. EMS@C-Level is hosted by global inspection leaders Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Global Electronics Association (https://www.electronics.org) You can see video versions of all of the EMS@C-Level pods on our YouTube playlist.

The floor at Productronica hummed with a cautious optimism: after nearly two years of headwinds, signs of a turn are appearing in Europe. I sat down with Koh Young’s Michael Zahn and Joel Scutchfield to compare notes across Europe, the US, and Mexico—where industrial electronics, defense, smart home, and heating systems are on the rise while automotive remains subdued. What stood out wasn’t just where orders are coming from, but who is moving first: midsize EMS firms and privately owned manufacturers are investing ahead of the curve, seeking fast payback and dependable support. Underneath the market pulse is a sharper question customers keep asking: what can we do with the data? High-fidelity inspection images are table stakes; the real value arrives when those images become insight that drives action. Michael and Joel walk through how applied AI delivers measurable outcomes—shorter setup times, preemptive process correction, and fewer defects—making productivity gains visible in hours saved and scrap avoided. The conversation cuts through hype: it’s not “do you have AI,” but “what has AI done for the line this week?” Collaboration is the hinge that makes it all work. Beyond connecting machines, manufacturers are connecting companies and teams, breaking the habits of siloed optimization. Partnerships with players like Fuji and Cybord show how shared data and agreed response rules enable closed-loop control across printer, SPI, placement, and MES. That’s where a real tipping point forms: consistent global messaging, common data models, and cross-vendor feedback loops that accelerate time-to-stable and lift yield across shifts, lots, and sites. If you’re aiming to turn smart factory ambition into repeatable results, this conversation maps the next steps: insight layers over raw data, ROI you can measure week by week, and collaborations that compound. Subscribe, share with a colleague who owns yield, and leave a review with the one bottleneck you want to break next. EMS@C-Level is hosted by global inspection leaders Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Global Electronics Association (https://www.electronics.org) You can see video versions of all of the EMS@C-Level pods on our YouTube playlist.

A bustling Global Electronics Association booth at Productronica sets the stage for a candid conversation with Chief Global Officer Sanjay Huprikar about what real global collaboration looks like when it’s working. We trace a clear arc: India’s surge through training and engagement, China’s evolution from certification powerhouse to standards initiator, and Europe’s EMS leaders discovering that a neutral room can turn competitors into co-problem-solvers. The throughline is practical and powerful—let standards start where they must, invite the world to shape them, and keep the craft alive through hands-on training that elevates the entire workforce. We unpack how “think global, act local” moves from slogan to system. A standard might begin in China on rail, draw in Europe’s deep expertise, and then expand through India and North America as shared challenges surface. In Paris, that same spirit created a safe space where CEOs left posturing at the door and focused on the 80 percent of challenges that every EMS provider faces—talent pipelines, digital maturity, supply risk, and operational resilience—while keeping the secret sauce out of the conversation. The result is faster learning, better standards, and teams who can actually apply them. Beyond the boardroom, we celebrate the human side of excellence. Training programs, hand soldering and wire harnessing competitions, and ongoing education translate standards into muscle memory. Advocacy and industry insight add lift, connecting policy signals to factory floors. The rebrand to Global Electronics Association formalizes a decade of practice: each region can lead, and everyone contributes to a stronger, shared framework. If you care about workforce development, open collaboration, and standards that reflect real work, you’ll find a playbook here worth adopting. Enjoyed the conversation? Follow the show, share it with a colleague who cares about collaboration, and leave a quick review to tell us what standard or skill set should be built next. EMS@C-Level is hosted by global inspection leaders Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Global Electronics Association (https://www.electronics.org) You can see video versions of all of the EMS@C-Level pods on our YouTube playlist.

Productronica 2025 sets the stage for this novel leadership story: how a business major found purpose in the SMT and EMS industry, learned the language of machines and yields, and stepped into the COO role. I sat down with Koh Young Europe COO Solin Ahmed to unpack what it really takes to lead in a technical market without an engineering degree—fluency, curiosity, and the discipline to connect factory realities with customer expectations. Guided by a 49-year SMT veteran, Solin shows how mentorship converts raw exposure into judgment, and how a trusted advisor emerges from years of watching, listening, and then acting. We also dive into a leadership model built on frictionless collaboration: operations guided by a detail-driven COO, paired with a seasoned sales leader who translates market signals into pipeline. That balance closes the  gap between what gets sold and what can be built. Amid talk of a “missing generation” in manufacturing, this conversation offers a different lens: create visible ramps for mid-career talent, make technical learning non-negotiable, and let emerging leaders prove themselves inside real projects. Solin explains that on the show floor, the mood is unmistakable—busy booths, decisive conversations, and renewed confidence after a hard stretch in the German market. We look ahead to 2026 with cautious optimism, agreeing that partnerships across SMT, backend, and component ecosystems will determine who compounds gains fastest. If you’re navigating EMS leadership, building an SMT strategy, or rethinking how sales and ops should click, you’ll find practical insights and a dose of hard-won optimism. Subscribe, share with a colleague who mentors rising talent, and leave a review with one shift you think would most improve EMS in 2026. EMS@C-Level is hosted by global inspection leaders Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Global Electronics Association (https://www.electronics.org) You can see video versions of all of the EMS@C-Level pods on our YouTube playlist.

Europe’s EMS market isn’t just busy—it’s redrawing the map in real time. We sit down at Productronica 2025 to unpack how a slow Q1 turned into a full-throttle M&A sprint, and why the leaderboard is changing faster than most expected. From targeted buys that unlock Spain, France, North Africa, and Switzerland to bold moves in aerospace and defense, the story isn’t growth for growth’s sake—it’s about building resilient portfolios that win on proximity, margin, and capability. We dig into Cicor’s rise through a string of smaller targets and a revised offer for TT that could catapult it near the top, plus Scanfil’s international push through SRX Global, Atco, and MB Electronica to add reach and A&D exposure. Then we break down Hanza’s surprise acquisition of BMK, the logic behind its pan-European footprint, and how vertical integration—plastics, sheet metal, cable harnesses, and box build—turns PCBA sites into platforms that capture more share of wallet. The throughline: scale matters, but configuration matters more. Beyond the headlines, we focus on the mechanics that decide whether deals create or destroy value. Culture fit between family-run firms and PE-backed operators, sequencing integration to protect customers, and aligning offerings to the target’s sales motion all determine the ROI. We outline the three enduring M&A levers—geography, end markets, and integrated capabilities—and how different playbooks balance them without overloading the strategy. Looking to 2026, expect more consolidation, at least one game-changing transaction, and several players breaking the billion-euro barrier. If you care about EMS strategy, post-merger integration, and how to build a durable competitive edge in Europe, this conversation is a roadmap. Listen, share with a colleague who tracks electronics manufacturing, and leave a quick review so we can reach more industry leaders. EMS@C-Level is hosted by global inspection leaders Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Global Electronics Association (https://www.electronics.org) You can see video versions of all of the EMS@C-Level pods on our YouTube playlist.

In this episode of EMS & The Economist with Global Electronics Association Shawn DuBravac, we start with the longest U.S. government shutdown on record and how it choked off official data when leaders needed it most. With unemployment figures stale and signals flashing mixed, we turned to industry metrics: book‑to‑bill ratios that look balanced, backlogs that finally eased, and a defense sector still pulling hard, especially in Europe. From there, we dive into the AI surge. Yes, the investment is huge, but today’s spend doesn’t rhyme with the dot‑com era. Hyperscalers like Meta, Google, and Amazon are deploying earnings rather than piling on fragile debt, building capacity they know they’ll use over a longer horizon. Even if there’s some overbuild, the bigger near‑term constraint isn’t hype—it’s electricity. Power availability, interconnect queues, and grid readiness now shape the slope of data center growth and the electronics demand tied to it. Tariffs never left the stage, so companies stopped waiting for clean answers. We share how manufacturers are hedging with flexible footprints: in‑sourcing select lines, shifting from China to the U.S. or Mexico, and using USMCA to blunt steel and aluminum tariffs. We also unpack the legal uncertainty around AIPA and what rapid refunds could mean—a de facto stimulus that could unleash purchases and CapEx, or sit idle if policy risk stays high. Across the supply chain, smarter BOM visibility and analytics help teams decide what to absorb, what to pass through, and when to move. Looking ahead, we set expectations for Productronica and CES. AI touches everything from enterprise infrastructure to wearables, robotics momentum is building, and autonomy has crossed from possible to feasible—especially as a service. Waymo's millions of miles point to real utilization, even if personal AV ownership remains a longer‑term play, with regulation and weather still setting the pace. If you care about where electronics goes next, keep your eye on AI‑enabled demand, power constraints, and the quiet agility moves inside supply chains. Enjoyed the conversation? Follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a quick review to help more builders find us. EMS@C-Level is sponsored by global inspection leaders Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Creative Electron (https://creativeelectron.com) You can see video versions of all of the EMS@C-Level pods on our YouTube playlist.

Sitting down at FermionX with Managing Director Will Patrick, we explore how a third-generation MD took a family electronics manufacturer from tribal knowledge to a data-first operation that customers can see, trust, and scale with. We start with the lineage—granddad’s silkscreen craft evolving to PCBs, then assembly—and why honoring that service and customer focussed ethic made the transformation stick. Then we lift the hood on the digital rebuild: a modern MES for full traceability, powerful dashboards for top-level clarity, and smarter quality tooling including Koh Young's KSMART and Luminovo. The goal wasn’t technology for its own sake; it was a single source of truth where every action leaves a data point and every decision gets faster, cleaner, and easier to audit. From there, we talk growth. By redesigning processes and floor layout, Will has created headroom to push from around £10M to £25M without stacking overhead. We break down how visibility wins contracts in the EMS world, why customers value shared dashboards and live traceability, and how a long-term, 20–30 year plan changes which investments make sense today. We also get practical about AI: exception-driven MRP alerts, machine feedback loops, and agentic systems that surface the one issue that will derail tomorrow—after, and only after, the data foundation is solid. If you care about scaling a contract manufacturer without losing your soul—or your margins—you’ll find concrete steps here: where to start with MES, how to drive cultural adoption, which metrics to watch, and how to stitch tools together so operators move faster, not slower. Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of manufacturing, data, and leadership, and tell us what you'd automate first. EMS@C-Level is sponsored by global inspection leaders Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Creative Electron (https://creativeelectron.com) You can see video versions of all of the EMS@C-Level pods on our YouTube playlist.

Amid the bustling energy of APEX 2025, there's a sense that electronics manufacturing is at a pivotal point. Despite swirling uncertainties about politics, trade, and economic conditions, some companies aren't waiting for perfect clarity—some are moving forward with confidence and purpose. Reshoring momentum is real. "It's a directive, a mandate for certain customers, certain manufacturers, to get out of China," the panel notes. This shift particularly benefits America's mid-tier EMS companies in the $50-200 million range who can absorb returning production without massive expansion. The long-championed principle of "in-region, for-region" manufacturing is finding even more relevance as companies recognize the risks and inefficiencies of stretched supply chains. Yet significant challenges remain. The industry faces what some call a "missing generation" in its workforce—plenty of 20-somethings and 50-plus veterans, but noticeably fewer mid-career professionals. Companies are getting creative with talent strategies, though compensation remains central: "Pay $50 an hour, your lobby's full", suggests EMSNOW Publisher Eric Miscoll. Automation continues advancing rapidly, with AI integration moving at remarkable speed. These technologies may help bridge the talent gap while enabling the American manufacturing renaissance that stakeholders across the political spectrum desire to see. Whether you're navigating reshoring decisions, addressing workforce challenges, or exploring automation opportunities, this insider perspective offers valuable insights for your manufacturing strategy.  EMS@C-Level Live at APEX is sponsored by global inspection leaders Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Creative Electron (https://creativeelectron.com) EMS@C-Level is sponsored by global inspection leaders Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Creative Electron (https://creativeelectron.com) You can see video versions of all of the EMS@C-Level pods on our YouTube playlist.

When production becomes the North Star of manufacturing leadership, everything changes. Oscar, who has evolved from engineering manager to  leader of engineering and production at ALL Circuits, reveals the shift in mindset that's transformed their Guadalajara facility. His refreshingly practical approach centers on making production results the focal point for every department—from quality to efficiency to personnel. This conversation delves into one of manufacturing's most persistent challenges: talent management. Operating in Guadalajara's competitive EMS landscape requires innovative approaches to both recruiting and retention. Oscar shares his multi-pronged strategy: creating a genuinely welcoming work environment, providing meaningful challenges that keep team members engaged, investing in state-of-the-art equipment, and—most crucially—building internal talent pathways. Rather than merely competing for existing talent, ALL Circuits takes responsibility for developing its own workforce through dedicated training programs and mentorship structures designed to transform recent graduates into skilled manufacturing professionals. Perhaps most exciting is the discussion of ALL Circuits' recent acquisition, which integrates them into a global manufacturing family with facilities across Asia. The merger creates a fascinating opportunity for cross-pollination between ALL Circuits' automotive, and automated, manufacturing expertise and their new partners' consumer electronics specialization. As Oscar wisely notes, "Every day is a school day"—a philosophy that perfectly captures the continuous learning mindset driving manufacturing excellence at ALL Circuits.  Filmed on location at ALL Circuits Guadalajara. Learn more at https://www.allcircuits.com/ EMS@C-Level is sponsored by global inspection leaders Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Creative Electron (https://creativeelectron.com) You can see video versions of all of the EMS@C-Level pods on our YouTube playlist.

How does a manufacturing company double in size with limited workforce availability? What role will AI play in the future of electronics manufacturing? Nicole Russo from Microboard provides powerful insights into these questions and more during our conversation at APEX 2025. Looking to establish their second manufacturing site, potentially in the western United States, Microboard stands at an exciting crossroads. Having already doubled their business over the past six years, they're strategically planning to repeat this achievement by 2028. Nicole candidly shares their approach to expansion, weighing the benefits of greenfield development against acquisition or partnership models, while emphasizing their unwavering commitment to remaining family-owned despite frequent private equity overtures. What truly separates Microboard is their dual mission of building cutting-edge technology while helping those living on less than a dollar a day. "There's no U-Haul behind your hearse—you've got to live your legacy while you're alive," explains Nicole, highlighting how this purpose-driven approach energizes their team and shapes their business decisions. We explore their commitment to workforce diversity, including their neurodiversity initiative which, while challenging, reaffirms their belief that "everyone deserves a good job." The conversation addresses artificial intelligence not as a buzzword but as an essential business imperative. "AI has to start to show up in profit... if you're not thinking that way, you're behind already," warns Nicole. With defense sector strength continuing and other markets awaiting clarity on tariffs and economic conditions, Microboard remains focused on technological advancement—even working with components so rare that only 100 exist worldwide. This fascinating discussion offers valuable insights for manufacturing leaders navigating similar growth and technology challenges. EMS@C-Level Live at APEX is sponsored by global inspection leaders Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Creative Electron (https://creativeelectron.com) EMS@C-Level is sponsored by global inspection leaders Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Creative Electron (https://creativeelectron.com) You can see video versions of all of the EMS@C-Level pods on our YouTube playlist.

The electronics industry has reached a pivotal moment of transformation, and leading the charge is a familiar organization with a brand new identity. In this revealing conversation, John Mitchell, President and CEO, announces the rebrand of IPC as the Global Electronics Association – a name that finally captures the true essence of the organization. "The name literally represents who we are and what we've been doing for some time," Mitchell explains, addressing how the former acronym – while iconic in standards and certification – created confusion among media, policymakers, and those less familiar with the association's evolution since its founding in 1957. The new identity boldly declares its worldwide reach while clarifying its comprehensive role across the entire electronics ecosystem. This rebrand represents more than just a name change. It signals a significant inflection point with substantial investments in global operations, advocacy, industry intelligence, and communications. With a refined vision of "better electronics for a better world" and a streamlined mission focused on supply chain resilience and industry growth, the association is positioning itself at the critical intersection of global and regional interests. As Mitchell notes, "A global supply chain is also made up of regional capabilities." What makes this transformation particularly powerful is how it embraces the connected nature of modern electronics. The Global Electronics Association now represents every segment of the supply chain – from semiconductor manufacturers to OEMs and everything in between – creating a unified voice for an industry that powers virtually every aspect of modern life.  Ready to be part of this evolution? Visit electronics.org to discover how this renewed organization is shaping the future of electronics worldwide. EMS@C-Level is sponsored by global inspection leaders Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Creative Electron (https://creativeelectron.com) You can see video versions of all of the EMS@C-Level pods on our YouTube playlist.

The landscape of European manufacturing is undergoing a profound transformation, caught between geopolitical tensions, shifting economic priorities, and technological disruption. Harald Eppinger of Koh Young offers a candid assessment of where Europe stands and what's needed to revitalize its industrial leadership. "We are competitive in technology, we have the right people in charge," Eppinger asserts, highlighting that Europe's challenges stem not from capability but from hesitation. This wake-up call comes at a critical moment as defense spending increases dramatically across the continent, creating substantial opportunities in communications technology, satellite systems, and aerospace development.  Regional variations tell a nuanced story – the UK has "recovered wisely" post-Brexit, while Scandinavia maintains its traditional strength. Central Europe faces greater challenges, with many potential projects stuck in the "what if" phase of planning. The solution, Eppinger suggests, lies in collaborative partnerships that leverage each vendor's strengths while presenting unified solutions to customers. This shift from isolated competition to strategic collaboration fundamentally changes how manufacturing operates. For manufacturing leaders looking to navigate this changing landscape, the message is clear: competitiveness requires collaboration, data exchange, and process visualization. Those who embrace these principles stand ready to benefit as European manufacturing potentially rebounds in 2025.  EMS@C-Level Live at APEX is sponsored by global inspection leaders Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Creative Electron (https://creativeelectron.com) EMS@C-Level is sponsored by global inspection leaders Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Creative Electron (https://creativeelectron.com) You can see video versions of all of the EMS@C-Level pods on our YouTube playlist.

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 Thomassen, who participated in the “Implementation Dialogue on EU Defence” with Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, held in Brussels recently. The European Commission recognizes this urgency. They've initiated an "omnibus" bill aimed at helping defense manufacturers ramp up production quickly, bringing together industry leaders from major prime contractors to innovative startups developing cutting-edge battlefield technologies. But the challenges are enormous. Most electronics components, semiconductors, and specialized materials used in European defense systems come from outside the continent. While stockpiling strategic materials for several years provides a short-term solution, the long-term challenge of rebuilding secure supply chains remains daunting. For specialized materials like munitions chemicals, new production facilities require five years just for permitting and environmental studies. Regional responses vary dramatically across Europe. Countries feeling immediate threat – the Nordics, Baltics, Poland, and Germany – are leading with bold procurement initiatives and defense budgets approaching 5% of GDP. These long-term commitments provide the certainty manufacturers need for major capacity investments. Perhaps most exciting is the rise of defense technology startups across Eastern Europe. From drone innovations to laser targeting systems, these companies bring battlefield-ready solutions developed with real-world urgency. As one Ukrainian defense official emphasized: "A system you can provide me two years from now has zero interest – I need something for tomorrow." The war in Ukraine accelerates these trends, serving as both catalyst for action and testing ground for technologies. Defense donation programs deliver immediate battlefield feedback on new systems, strengthening the innovation cycle. Want to explore how these defense industry transformations might affect your business? Join us at the upcoming IPC defense event in Brussels on June 10th, where industry leaders will be tackling these critical challenges head-on. MADE IN EUROPE is an IPC Podcast, produced by SCOOP EMS@C-Level is sponsored by global inspection leaders Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Creative Electron (https://creativeelectron.com) You can see video versions of all of the EMS@C-Level pods on our YouTube playlist.

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 their paralyzing effect on customer decision-making. "I think our customers are totally frustrated by the whole situation and everybody is just frozen in place," Hughes explains, highlighting how geopolitics directly impacts manufacturing strategies. This uncertainty creates a challenging business environment where planning becomes increasingly difficult. What emerges as particularly fascinating is Hughes' articulation of a fundamental industry paradox: customers demand manufacturing flexibility across regions to mitigate geopolitical risks, but resist paying the premium required to maintain that capability. "To say you're fast and flexible is one thing, but to truly be able to deliver that to a customer at a competitive price they expect is completely different," Hughes notes. This tension between flexibility and cost efficiency represents perhaps the central challenge facing global manufacturers today. Hughes then reveals IMI's strategic response - consolidation around "super sites" rather than maintaining numerous smaller facilities. He explains how the company recently sold its Czech facility while expanding operations in Serbia, believing that "fewer bigger sites" improve competitiveness by controlling overhead costs. Similarly, IMI's Mexico operations have become its busiest location for new product introductions, particularly attractive to customers seeking tariff advantages under current trade rules. This practical approach to balancing global presence with operational efficiency offers valuable lessons for navigating manufacturing in an increasingly unpredictable world. Ready to dive deeper into the realities of global manufacturing strategy? Listen now to understand how leading manufacturing companies are redesigning their operations to thrive amid constant change. EMS@C-Level is sponsored by global inspection leaders Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Creative Electron (https://creativeelectron.com) You can see video versions of all of the EMS@C-Level pods on our YouTube playlist.

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, multinational member companies. Key Discussion Points: The New Global Paradigm: How IPC is redefining "global" in an era where regionalization and supply chain resilience have become critical priorities Beyond Standards and Certification: IPC's expansion into areas like government advocacy, supply chain sustainability, and industry intelligence The Art of Listening: How building credible relationships with industry leaders creates the foundation for meaningful collective action Regional Manufacturing vs. Global Supply Chains: Why the electronics industry needs both approaches simultaneously Government Relations Success: Insights into IPC's growing influence in policy discussions across multiple regions The Connectivity Challenge: How multinational companies make decisions locally while needing global coordination EMS@C-Level is sponsored by global inspection leaders Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Creative Electron (https://creativeelectron.com) You can see video versions of all of the EMS@C-Level pods on our YouTube playlist.