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. 2H AGO

    Disrupting German Manufacturing Through One-Stop Scale: Florian Weiss, HANZA (BMK)

    What if you could move a complex hardware product from dispersed vendors to one accountable partner—and do it in three months? I sit down with Florian Weiss, HANZA's Head of Business Development Region Central Europe to unpack how BMK scaled a Raspberry Pi-based platform beyond PCBA into a complete, end-to-end manufacturing solution that absorbs production and logistics so teams can focus on sales, R&D, and marketing. The story isn’t theory; it’s the playbook for turning hundreds of components and many suppliers into a single, flexible pipeline that ships thousands of units, yet still delivers in quantities as low as one. We dig into the mechanics of transfer—tooling and test migration, supplier onboarding, firmware alignment, and NPI gates—then connect the dots to real business outcomes: cleaner change control, shorter lead times, and late-stage customization that protects cash. From there, we zoom out to the strategic fit between BMK and HANZA. With HANZA's strengths in sheet metal, mechanics, and cable harnesses across Germany, Eastern Europe, and Scandinavia, the combined team brings vertical integration without overlap, unlocking cross-selling across BMK’s 400-customer base and cutting total cost of ownership with a local footprint. Expect practical insights on how to stabilize supply chains for complex electronics, build resilience through regional capacity, and shift from siloed sourcing to a unified manufacturing model. Whether you manage a fast-scaling device or a mature product with variant complexity, the takeaways are clear: consolidate accountability, keep design velocity high, and use flexible fulfillment to match real demand.  If this kind of integrated manufacturing strategy could change your roadmap, follow the show, share it with a teammate, and leave a quick review with the one question you want us to tackle next. This podcast is part of series filmed at HANZA's Capital Markets Day in Stockholm on March 10th 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.

    4 min

  2. 2H AGO

    On Location at ALL Circuits: Deputy CEO Stephane Klajzyngier Explains How They Are Turning Global Scale Into Faster Wins

    Twelve months after the DBG partnership, we get honest about what actually changes when an acquisition is more than a headline. From my recent visit to ALL Circuits' flagship facility south of Paris, Deputy CEO Stephane Klajzyngier and I break down the real milestones: shared purchasing of high-impact production equipment like SMT machines, AOI, and printers, plus the way joint line design can sharpen cost and competitiveness in the electronics manufacturing services market. The point isn’t “bigger is better” it’s how smarter CapEx decisions help you win the next RFQ. From there, we move into growth strategy. We talk about the first common customer now starting sample builds and why entering the AI server market matters for diversification beyond automotive electronics. AI infrastructure also rewrites the rules on time to market: instead of 12–18 month ramps, customers expect weeks. That forces new thinking around investment readiness, capacity planning, and how an EMS partner proves it can move fast without cutting corners. We also dig into what a truly global footprint unlocks: serving large OEMs that want manufacturing options across North America, Europe, and Asia, including Chinese customers exploring production outside China. Finally, we close with CES takeaways: humanoid robots as the next step toward decision-making AI, the potential role of robotics in elder care, and why smart glasses electronics could be a real manufacturing opportunity once the hype curve settles. If you enjoyed this, subscribe, share the show with a colleague, and leave a review with your take: which market will reshape EMS first, AI servers or robotics? 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

  3. MAY 19

    IMI Shifts From Turnaround Mode To Focused Growth - with CEO Lou Hughes

    They didn’t just trim costs. They rewired the business for the next growth cycle. I sat down with Lou Hughes, CEO of IMI, to unpack a pivotal year that includes sharp net debt reduction, major site consolidation, and a clear shift from stabilization to expansion. If you care about EMS strategy, global manufacturing footprint decisions, and where electronics outsourcing is headed next, this conversation gets specific fast.  We talk through why IMI moved from a sprawling network to fewer, larger campuses and how that changes overhead, execution, and customer confidence. Lou explains the manufacturing investments that matter most right now: building mechanical capability in the Philippines, expanding injection molding, and bringing more critical processes in-house so bulky parts stop riding expensive freight lanes. We also dig into the growth engines IMI is betting on, from power module packaging for EVs, industrial, and data center demand to driver monitoring cameras, megatronics controls, and exterior lighting processes that require real manufacturing muscle.  The episode goes deep on sourcing and supply chain resilience, including what a “strategic supplier initiative” looks like in practice, where an EMS provider can create real value in electromechanical commodities, and why active components like ICs and memory often stay customer-driven. You’ll also hear candid perspective on China’s shifting role amid tariffs and geopolitics, plus why India may be the next serious platform for power modules and camera modules. Subscribe, share this with a manufacturing leader, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. 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.

    24 min

  4. MAY 17

    The STI Acquisition Repositions NOTE For Long-Term Defense Programs, with NOTE CEO Johannes Lind-Widestam

    Defense electronics is pulling the EMS industry in a new direction, and the companies that move early will shape the next decade of the supply chain. I’m joined by Johannes Lind-Widestam, CEO of NOTE to unpack what’s really behind their latest moves and why the UK has become such a central piece of the puzzle. We get into the STI acquisition and how it strengthens NOTE’s position in the UK defense supply chain, expands geographic coverage, and adds specialized sites that win in distinct niches. Johannes also shares the story of adding former Chief of the Air Staff Sir Michael Wigston to the board and why board-level defense experience matters when customers are making long-term manufacturing decisions for security and defense programs. From there, we widen the lens to the broader electronics manufacturing services market: where order coverage is improving, why communication and industrial look healthier, why medtech is softer, and why greentech can swing customer to customer. We also talk supply chain risk in plain terms, including memory constraints, AI pressure on foundry capacity, potential PCB allocations, pricing, and how geopolitical shocks can ripple through logistics and materials. Finally, we tackle regional strategy and growth beyond 2026, balancing organic growth targets with disciplined M&A. If you care about EMS strategy, defense manufacturing, supply chain resilience, and where electronics production is headed next, hit subscribe, share this with a colleague, and leave a review so more builders can find it. What trend do you think will reshape EMS the most this year? 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

  5. MAY 1

    How EMS Can Scale Defense Production Faster, with Kitron's CEO Peter Nilsson

    Defense electronics is moving faster than the supply chain can comfortably handle, and the numbers are forcing a rethink of what “normal” growth looks like. I sat down with Peter Nilsson, President & CEO of Kitron Group to unpack a dramatic jump in defense-related revenue, what’s driving it, and how an EMS provider can scale without getting trapped by over-concentration or runaway complexity. We get specific about where the demand is coming from: legacy defense primes with long ramps and long program lives, plus a newer wave of defense tech companies building products at startup speed. That difference changes everything for electronics manufacturing services, from how you plan capacity to how you support rapid product development and transition into repeatable production. We also talk about the less glamorous reality behind big order books: lead times, component shortages, and the pain of distributor decommitments even after parts have been on order for a year. From there, we explore what modern operations teams are doing to stay ahead, including AI agents embedded in ERP to chase recommits, validate the master schedule weekly, and trigger automatic replanning. We also zoom out to broader growth drivers like AI and data centers, and why industrial IoT, connectivity, and data-center infrastructure hardware are creating demand far beyond the server rack. Finally, Peter shares how they think about organic growth versus M&A, what makes an acquisition worth integrating, and why brand expectations around performance and reliability can’t slip during expansion. If you care about defense manufacturing, EMS strategy, electronics supply chain resilience, and scaling production under pressure, hit play. Subscribe, share with a teammate, and leave a review, then tell us what supply chain risk keeps you up at night? 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

  6. APR 29

    How Vertical Integration Builds Smarter Defense Supply Chains with HANZA CSO Mattias Lindhe

    War has sped up everything—demand signals, lead times, and the tolerance for fragile supply chains. I sit down with Mattia Lindhe, HANZA's Chief Strategy Officer at their recent Capital Markets Day to dig into HANZA's Lynx program’s twofold mission: deliver urgent support for Ukraine while building a stronger, more resilient European defense base that can scale locally and reliably. Along the way, we open the toolbox on what HANZA's twin superpowers: deep vertical integration that spans heavy mechanics to electronics, and advisory services that rewire supply chains for speed, flexibility, and lower tied-up capital. From there, we take a sober look at drones. Everyone has a drone program, but not everyone will matter when the market consolidates and drones behave like consumables. We share why picking the right partners beats chasing every RFP, how standardization and scale shape the winners, and where an integrated manufacturer should commit versus collaborate. The question is not “can we build it,” but “should we build it, and with whom,” so that capability compounds rather than fragments. We also step beyond traditional EMS boundaries. Drawing on HANZA's experience in heavy construction equipment and near-complete systems, we map the conditions where it makes sense to take on full assemblies and even vehicles—provided volumes and regulatory regimes align. The throughline across all of this is clarity: sell what customers need, not only what they want; put the right people on the same side of the table; and align on outcomes that endure through ramps and redesigns. If you care about European defense manufacturing, supply chain resilience, and the real path to scale in a volatile market, this conversation is a pragmatic field guide. Subscribe for more candid insights, share this with a colleague who’s wrestling with supply chain strategy, and leave a review to tell us where you want us to go deeper next. This podcast is part of series filmed at HANZA's Capital Markets Day in Stockholm on March 10th 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.

    7 min

  7. APR 28

    How HANZA Blends ESG, Vertical Integration, And Smart Acquisitions To Scale with CFO Lars Åkerblom

    What happens when a manufacturer treats values as part of an operating system, not a slide? I sit down with HANZA CFO Lars Åkerblom at their recent Capital Markets Day to unpack how code of conduct and sustainability guide every decision—from factory floor safety and anti-corruption to transparent relationships with customers, suppliers, and investors—and why that stance fuels both resilience and growth. We trace the recent uptick in organic momentum as customer activity returns and orders turn into revenue, then dig into how vertical integration turns execution into advantage. By pulling more of the value chain inside, HANZA cuts handoffs, speeds problem-solving, and earns room to co-design with clients—lifting margins while deepening loyalty. That same discipline shapes acquisitions: the BMK deal did more than add revenue, it opened powerful cross-selling channels and sharpened the integrated model. Just as important are the deals you walk away from and the customers you let go when the fit is wrong; culture and long-term economics win over short-term volume. Looking ahead to the 2028 target of 14 billion SEK, we explore a balanced route: expand with existing customers, win new ones through capability-led differentiation, and use market softness to acquire quality assets at the right price. Agility stays central—building footprint, capacity, and geography to serve faster and better—while ensuring every acquisition leaves customers better off on day one. Throughout, two voices steer the ship: customers who reveal where value is moving, and employees who make safe, consistent delivery possible. That alignment turns ESG into everyday practice and strategy into steady compounding. If this conversation sparks ideas on culture-led growth, integrated operations, or smart M&A, follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a quick review so more builders can find it. This podcast is part of series filmed at HANZA's Capital Markets Day in Stockholm on March 10th 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.

    7 min

  8. APR 27

    EMS & The Economist: How AI Data Centers Are Reshaping Memory Prices And Supply with Shawn DuBravac

    AI is changing the electronics economy faster than most supply chains can adapt. We sit down with Shawn DeBravac, Chief Economist of the Global Electronics Association, to unpack the “memory squeeze” and why AI data centers are pulling scarce resources toward high-margin infrastructure, driving memory price pressure even when outright availability doesn’t look dire on the surface. If you build, buy, or plan around semiconductors, memory, EMS, or PCB demand, this conversation helps you separate headline noise from what manufacturers are actually experiencing. From there, we zoom out to the risks that don’t show up on a BOM until it’s too late: concentrated semiconductor capacity, regional dependencies, and the real-world costs of geopolitics. We talk through the Iran war and the Strait of Hormuz, why energy prices can stay elevated for longer than markets hope, and how higher oil, shipping, and insurance costs can be broadly inflationary. The twist is the split performance inside electronics manufacturing: AI and defense remain strong while consumer electronics faces tougher headwinds as households cut discretionary spending. We also dig into the long-run rewrite of global trade and supply chains. Once companies start moving production to navigate tariffs and uncertainty, that momentum tends to keep going. Automotive and EV policy in Europe becomes a clear example of competing goals, and Sean explains how data like sentiment and book-to-bill can guide decisions in a more expensive, more volatile environment. Subscribe for more conversations on the semiconductor supply chain, global electronics trends, and manufacturing strategy, then share this episode and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. 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.

    22 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
    320
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 EMS@C-LEVEL
  • Show Website
    EMS@C-LEVEL