EMS@C-LEVEL

Philip Spagnoli Stoten

As Forbes, Entrepreneur, Fast Company and SCOOP writer, Philip Stoten, continues to talk to EMS (Electronic Manufacturing Services) executives he learns more about their individual and collective experiences and their expectations for their own businesses and for the entire electronic manufacturing industry.

  1. 7 FEB

    A Merger That Turns Tariffs Into Opportunity And Scale Into Customer Advantage, with ALL Circuits' Stephane Klajzyngier

    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.

    18 min

  2. 7 FEB

    Building An Agile, Global EMS To Serve EV Makers And Data Centers, with ALL Circuits CEO Bruno Racault

    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.

    14 min

  3. 7 FEB

    Private Equity Meets Engineering: Eurocircuits Becomes The Centerpiece Of A Long-Term Strategy

    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.

    17 min

  4. 3 FEB

    From Connectivity To AI: How Factories Finally Move Data And People with 4IR.UK's David Graham

    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.

    11 min

  5. 16/12/2025

    From Design To Assembly: How PCEA Connects The Electronics Ecosystem with their President Mike Buetow

    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.

    14 min

  6. 12/12/2025

    Defense Deals And Nordic Expansion from Kitron Group: EMS@C-Level with CEO Peter Nilsson

    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.

    14 min

  7. 11/12/2025

    Why Connecting Machines And Companies Unlocks Real Factory Value with Koh Young's Michael Zahn and Joel Scutchfield

    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.

    13 min

  8. 10/12/2025

    Scaling Smarter: Why InCap Is Acquiring Lacon Group And What It Unlocks, with CEO Otto Pukk

    Deals change the game only when they change what you can do for customers. That's the heartbeat of our conversation as we break down InCap’s planned acquisition of Lacon Group, a Germany-based EMS and ODM player with sites across Bavaria, northern Germany, and Romania. In this conversation with InCap CEO Otto Pukk, I dive into why Germany’s the cornerstone of European EMS, how local engineering talent shifts the work from build-to-print toward design collaboration, and why this move is about smarter capacity—geography, capability, and resilience—more than raw scale. We map the value Lacon adds: roughly €70 million in revenue, a balanced sector mix across defense, rail, industrial, and medical, and ODM-grade design services that tighten DFM, accelerate NPI, and strengthen lifecycle support. Then we connect the dots to InCap’s existing strengths in Europe, USA and India, showing how small and mid-volume German programs can ramp efficiently across a broader network without sacrificing proximity or quality. The result is a more versatile platform for customers who want speed, engineering depth, and flexible capacity in an uncertain market. Consolidation across European EMS is heating up, with aggressive moves from regional leaders and higher multiples for high-quality assets. We unpack what’s driving the surge—defense and aerospace demand, AI and data center hardware—and why portfolio balance still matters when geopolitics can shake forecasts. Culture fit plays a starring role here; with multi-site teams and over 600 new colleagues to integrate, shared values and a strong group spirit make the difference between a deal that looks good on paper and one that delivers in practice. We close with a grounded outlook: stronger Q4 than Q3, cautious optimism for 2026, and a clear focus on integration and operational excellence—harmonizing processes, unlocking cross-site synergies, and standardizing engineering workflows. If you’re tracking the future of EMS, from German proximity to India-based scale, from ODM capability to defense readiness, this is a deep, candid look at how strategy meets execution. Subscribe, share with a colleague who follows EMS M&A, and leave a review with your take on where the next strategic foothold should be. 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.

    10 min
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About

As Forbes, Entrepreneur, Fast Company and SCOOP writer, Philip Stoten, continues to talk to EMS (Electronic Manufacturing Services) executives he learns more about their individual and collective experiences and their expectations for their own businesses and for the entire electronic manufacturing industry.

Information

  • Creator
    Philip Spagnoli Stoten
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    296
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 EMS@C-LEVEL
  • Show Website
    EMS@C-LEVEL

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