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. 2D AGO

    From Quotes To Confidence: How Luminovo Is Rewiring EMS Collaboration, Founder Sebastian Schaal

    What if the fastest way to fix electronics supply chains starts with the quote? We dig into how targeting that high-pressure moment—where BOM clarity, sourcing, manufacturability, and price collide—catalyzes a broader shift from scattered spreadsheets to connected, resilient operations. By standardizing part data across millions of SKUs, integrating live pricing and lead times, and introducing customer portals, EMS teams cut response times dramatically and win on trust, not just cost. And that's just the start of this in-depth conversation with Luminovo Managing Director and Founder Sebastian Schaal, conducted on the show floor at productronica 2025. From there, we widen the lens to show how a “tool you use” becomes a “system that works for you.” Always-on monitoring tracks price shifts, lead time volatility, lifecycle and compliance risks, and geopolitical exposure, then flags precise exceptions so teams act before problems surface. We talk through why ERP and MES should keep their lanes while a vertical CRM and SRM for electronics connect customers, suppliers, and the external parts universe. The result is a glass pipeline: shared visibility that shortens cycles, reduces errors, and captures savings that used to slip away. We also map the trust curve of AI automation. Early stages deliver alerts and recommendations; confidence grows with one-click approvals; mature teams hand routine sourcing to autopilot while keeping humans in the loop for edge cases. With new AI interfaces turning ten clicks into one clear command—and transparent reasoning behind actions—speed no longer requires opacity. Along the way, we highlight collaborations with leading EMS players, expansion from Europe to the U.S., and why openness beats secrecy when the true enemies are bad data, manual processes, and pure arbitrage. Subscribe for more grounded conversations on connected manufacturing, smart sourcing, and supply chain resilience. If this episode sparked ideas or questions, share it with your team and leave a review telling us what you want tackled 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.

    17 min

  2. MAR 24

    How Better Industry Data Powers Smarter Policy And Business Moves, with Chris Mitchell

    Data is only useful when it changes your next move. During my recent 'on location' session with Global Electronics Associates, I sat down with Chris Mitchell, Vice President of Global Government Relations, to unpack how a new, global industry intelligence program is turning raw numbers into decisions that matter for EMS leaders, OEMs, and policymakers. From Washington to Brussels and beyond, the focus is on credible, high-integrity data that can be sliced by sector, region, and supply chain layer—so leaders can act with speed and confidence. We dig into why the market feels like it is at an inflection point: EV growth is reshaping power electronics, AI hardware is driving demand for advanced boards and thermal solutions, and supply chains are being rewired for resilience and yield. Chris explains the build-out of dedicated data leads across regions, the push for stronger partnerships, and the shift from static annual reports to self-serve analytics. The goal is clear: let members interrogate the dataset, surface the “so what,” and back strategic choices—from capacity bets to localization—with evidence. Advocacy comes alive when policy meets proof. We explore how hard data informs briefings for governments, helping align on supply chain priorities, incentives, and workforce needs. It’s a two-way street: members gain foresight on policy directions and access to decision-makers, while policymakers gain ground truth on EMS capabilities, quality demands, and bottlenecks. Throughout, we highlight the evolving role of EMS as strategic innovation drivers—partners who manage complexity, lift yields, and enable brands to scale globally without sacrificing reliability. If you’re navigating electronics manufacturing, this conversation brings clarity on where momentum is building, how to measure it, and how to act on it. Subscribe, share with a colleague who lives in spreadsheets, and leave a review with the one question you’d ask a global industry dataset. 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.

    19 min

  3. MAR 19

    From CES To Factory Floors: Robotics, Labor, And The New Supply Chain, with Shawn DuBravac

    CES signals are loud and clear: AI is no longer a feature, it’s the infrastructure layer crowding out capital, capacity, and attention across the electronics value chain. I sat down in Washington DC with Global Electronics Association Chief Economist Shawn DuBravac to unpack how that surge touches everything from storage and memory to semiconductors and factory planning, and why even companies “not in AI” are feeling the squeeze. The conversation traces a bigger shift too—mature tech moving from proof to scale—where autonomy is judged by fleet size and uptime, not lab demos. Robotics takes center stage as physical AI edges toward real work. We compare humanoids that can dance with systems ready for prime-time tasks like palletizing and truck unloading, and we map realistic timelines of 36 to 48 months for broader manufacturing deployment as dexterity and perception improve. With labor shortages set to widen through 2030, we dig into how smart plants rebalance capital and labor, use robots to close repetitive loops, and free people for quality, test, and exceptions. The result is a practical playbook: start narrow, integrate well, and scale when capability and cost cross the threshold. Zooming out, we chart a K-shaped industrial landscape. AI-adjacent and defense spending push ahead while housing, construction, and parts of agriculture struggle; Southeast Asia, Mexico, India, and Vietnam attract fresh capacity as Europe weighs EV ambitions against automotive sovereignty. Tariffs have shifted from crisis to cadence as EMS providers rewire networks, absorb costs, and—where needed—pass through pricing. We also tackle M&A’s role in securing U.S. capacity and strategic footholds, the financing mix behind AI builds, and why hyperscaler cash flows temper bubble fears even as demand risks remain. Threading it all together is data. Annual PDFs aren’t enough when decisions can’t rely on a rear-view mirror. We share how a global, real-time data backbone—built through partnerships and internal analytics—turns signals into guidance members can act on: where to invest, which lines to automate, how to hedge trade exposure, and when to break ground on new facilities. If you’re navigating AI’s crowding effect, timing your robotics ramp, or weighing consolidation, this conversation offers the markers to move with confidence. Enjoy the episode, then subscribe, share with your team, and leave a review to help others find the show. 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.

    23 min

  4. MAR 17

    Why Electronics As The World’s Next “Resource” And What That Demands Of Us, with John Mitchell

    In this 'on-location' interview with Global Electronics Association President & CEO John Mitchell, I pull back the curtain on the rebrand, then go deep on the tech, policy, and talent issues reshaping the entire electronics manufacturing ecosystem. The hype around AI is loud, but the signal is this: real gains come from faster decisions on real data and from tools that actually change the workflow. Add in a wave of affordable robotics—capable systems near the $5k mark—and you get a recipe for rapid experimentation on the factory floor, new automation patterns, and fresh demands on engineering teams. John and I talk through the policy shocks that have dominated the past year and why the churn is so costly. It’s not just tariffs; it’s the constant flipping that forces EMS providers to rework impact analyses for every customer, again and again. Agility is now a core competency, and industry leaders need playbooks that tie supply chain scenarios to compliance and cost. That’s where a global association adds leverage: translating signals from Washington and Brussels into actionable guidance, aligning standards, and advocating for coherent national electronics strategies across regions like East Asia, India and Southeast Asia, Mexico, and North America. Talent is the thread that connects everything. In the short term, AI is a powerful tool that boosts productivity. The looming challenge arrives as agentic AI eats the repetitive work that used to train interns and new grads. If we lose those rungs on the ladder, we risk a skills gap at the mid and senior levels just as seasoned experts retire. We outline how shared curricula, competency-based certifications, and safe convening can protect the pipeline, giving companies consistent training while keeping learning portable across the ecosystem. Finally, we preview Apex: a central rotating forum spotlighting advanced electronics packaging, a strong Mexico pavilion, and leadership sessions designed to turn insight into action. If this conversation helps sharpen your strategy, share it with a colleague, subscribe for more candid industry insights, and leave a quick review with the one idea you plan to apply this quarter. 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.

    16 min

  5. MAR 11

    How Design-First Thinking Supercharges Manufacturing Performance with Clarity Design Founder Tom Lupfer

    What happens when design, software, and manufacturing live under one roof? I sat down with Clarity Design President & Founder Tom Lupfer to explore how an engineering-first culture turns a factory into a learning system—one that moves faster, reduces errors, and keeps shipping even when supply chains seize. From early PCB roots to a modern EMS shop floor, Tom lays out a playbook where DFM is embedded from day one and inspection data powers continuous improvement. We dig into the feedback loop that transforms SPI and AOI from checkpoints into engines of process intelligence. With Ko Young’s inspection systems on the line, the team closes the gap between design intent and production reality, sharpening paste control, placement accuracy, and yield. That loop gets even tighter with Python-driven automation, cutting manual entry, speeding NPI, and making the design-to-build handoff nearly automatic. It’s not just about equipment; it’s about choosing strategic partners who back tools with training, demos on real boards, and long-term support. Resilience takes center stage as Tom describes how his team redesigned most active products during the pandemic to match what was actually purchasable—without missing deliveries. That capability becomes an ongoing value-add through sustaining engineering, cost-out rework, and feature updates across a product’s life. We also unpack why medical devices became a strong niche: documentation rigor, traceability, ISO 13485 discipline, FDA registration for Class II devices, and the advantages of being U.S.-based for regulated customers. Along the way, Tom shares a hiring philosophy that puts engineers directly in front of clients, creating a fast, clear path from requirements to architecture, fixtures, and test. If you care about modern manufacturing, this conversation delivers practical insight: how to select inspection partners, why software belongs at the core of operations, and what culture it takes to align quality, speed, and cost. Subscribe, share with a colleague who lives in DFM and NPI, and leave a review telling us which idea you’ll try first. 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.

    9 min

  6. MAR 5

    So You Think It’s “Just A Cable”? Think Again, with WERAP Group CSO Markus Hoffmann (Eric)

    The quiet parts make or break high‑reliability programs. EMSNOW's Eric Miscoll sat down on the Productronica 2025 floor with WERAP Group's Chief Sales Officer Marcus Hoffmann to unpack how our Swiss‑based EMS group is building a dedicated aerospace and defense hub by adding a Lake Constance specialist in cabling and box build—and why that matters for schedules, certifications, and mission success. From EN 9100 qualification to the realities of MIL, DIN, and NATO standards, we dig into what it takes to scale precision interconnects that most people never see but every aircraft and satellite relies on. We walk through the deal timeline, why the team kept the company as an add‑on rather than folding it in, and how a hub model concentrates know‑how without diluting rigor. Marcus explains how cabling moved from a late‑stage purchase to a design‑critical subsystem: routing, shielding, weight, and environmental factors shape avionics performance, and tiny misses in crimping or coating can stall an entire program. By uniting PCBA, inductives, certified harnesses, and box build under one accountable source, we outline a path to simpler audits, stronger documentation, and faster industrialization for complex LRUs and payload modules. You’ll also hear a candid strategy view: double down on healthcare, defense, and industrial markets, skip high‑volume automotive and consumer, and grow through targeted add‑ons that deepen capability rather than chase breadth. With a strong inherited customer base and plans to partner for R&D in Southeast Europe, we’re moving toward true turnkey while staying aligned to high‑reliability requirements. If you care about reliability, certification, and supply chain clarity in aerospace manufacturing, this conversation brings the details that actually move the needle. If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a teammate who wrangles interconnects, and leave a quick review so others building in aerospace and defense can find it. 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.

    9 min

  7. FEB 24

    How An EMS Firm Uses Smart Acquisitions To Diversify And Thrive with C-MAC CEO Riwan Tamic

    The best technology rarely shouts; it just works. I sit down with C-MAC CEO Riwan Tamic at Productronica 2025 to unpack how an EMS leader keeps complex programs on track while much of the market wrestles with delays, margin pressure, and shifting demand. From the outside, it looks like a story about parts and lines. Inside, it’s about people, process, and the quiet decisions that keep supply chains stable and customers confident. We trace a pivotal year that began with a Poland acquisition designed for three wins at once: strategic geography within the EU, a deep bench of high-skill engineers, and new capabilities in complex electromechanical assemblies. That move isn’t just about capacity. It opens doors to high-reliability work like CERN’s radiation-resistant cabinets—systems built to run a hundred meters underground—where documentation rigor, materials science, and integration discipline decide who earns the purchase order. Along the way, we explore why mastering an SMT line means mastering the entire process, from forecasting and procurement to test coverage and change management. Automotive headwinds still shape Europe, and we address them directly. With historically high exposure to auto, CMAC has trimmed that share while holding profitability, building momentum in aerospace, defense, and medical where traceability and compliance protect value. We dig into how Chinese EV momentum and the arrival of Chinese EMS providers in Europe shift the competitive map—and why diversification beats wishful thinking about a quick rebound. Finally, we talk strategy for 2026: integrate first, align culture and quality systems, then consider more M&A with a steadier base. If you care about electronics manufacturing, supply chain resilience, and the real levers that drive sustainable growth, you’ll find practical insights and hard-won lessons here. Follow the show, share it with a colleague who lives in NPI or operations, and leave a quick review to tell us what you want explored 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.

    9 min

  8. FEB 24

    How Automation And Flying Probe Are Redrawing ICT Strategy with Seica's Luca Corli

    The test floor is changing fast: components shrink, panels grow, and product lifecycles sprint. From the buzz of Productronica 2025, I sit down with Seica's Luca Corli to unpack what that means for real factories and real constraints. The conversation zeroes in on modern in-circuit testing, automation, and why secure, integrated workflows now matter as much as raw pin counts. We explore the new Valid SL, an inline ICT platform built for large, thick boards and multi-up panels that are increasingly common across semiconductors and high-reliability assemblies. With a redesigned mechanical press for stable contact, support for 4,000+ pins, and attention to cybersecurity in connected environments, Valid SL targets throughput without sacrificing trust. We also dig into Valid LR, a practical path for reusing legacy bed-of-nails fixtures from multiple vendors—key for teams that want better diagnostics and software while protecting tooling investments. The debate every engineering leader faces comes into focus: when does flying probe beat bed-of-nails, and when is it the other way around? Luca outlines where flying probe shines—rapid product changes, short runs, and tight time-to-market—and where high-pin-count, heavy, or large-format boards still make ICT the clear winner. The real gains appear when these methods are integrated with boundary scan, in-system programming, and functional testing to deliver deeper coverage and shorter cycles in one coordinated flow. We close with a candid look at market momentum. Automotive softness in parts of Europe contrasts with strong growth in India, where the shift from two and three wheels to cars drives electronics demand, and Southeast Asia continues to accelerate as manufacturing relocates. Through all of it, Seika’s customer-led approach anchors the roadmap: more flexibility where change is constant, more capacity where scale dominates, and more security wherever data and firmware touch the line. Enjoy the conversation, then tell us how your team balances flexibility and throughput. If this helped you think differently about test strategy, follow, share with a colleague, and leave a quick review—your feedback helps others discover the show. 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.

    6 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
    307
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 EMS@C-LEVEL
  • Show Website
    EMS@C-LEVEL