EMS@C-LEVEL

Philip Spagnoli Stoten
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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. -2 ч

    From CEO to Owner, Carsten Ellermeier of Deltec on How Ownership Changes Everything

    Buying a company out of insolvency is one of those decisions that sounds bold from the outside and feels very different at 2 a.m. when you are the owner. I sit down with Carsten Ellermeier to unpack his first fourteen months leading Deltec Group as both CEO and owner, including what the automotive downturn revealed about concentration risk and why trust with customers and suppliers becomes your real operating system. We get specific about the turnaround playbook in electronics manufacturing services (EMS): diversifying revenue away from automotive without throwing away the quality culture that automotive PCB assembly builds. Carsten explains why many legacy automotive electronics still fit the EV transition, then lays out the non-automotive growth lanes he sees as real, not hype: medical manufacturing with rigorous traceability, robotics and automation with strong German mid-market demand, and energy storage and charging infrastructure that rewards disciplined industrialization. A big chunk of our conversation goes deep on vertical integration and digital transformation. Deltec is moving from high-tech PCBA into complete modules and products, backed by test strategy and end-to-end data. We also dig into the Panasonic partnership and the new guided manual assembly approach that ties together pick-to-light, camera support, traceability, and KPI measurement, setting up an AI-ready foundation built on inspection data like SPI, AOI, and X-ray. That vertical integration story gets a concrete second chapter with the acquisition of a former Circor facility in Tunisia, adding wire harness assembly, cable assembly, plastic injection, and over-moulding capability alongside an existing SMT and THT operation. Carsten explains why the site's free trade zone status, German industrial heritage, and experienced local workforce made it the right answer when customers started asking about plan B. We close by zooming out to supply chain pressure around PCB laminate and how transparent forecasting and hard-but-fair relationships keep production stable. If you found this useful, subscribe, share the episode with a manufacturing leader, and leave us a review. What part of an EMS turnaround would you tackle 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.

    26 мин.

  2. 15 июн.

    Otto Pukk on INCAP’s 2026 Playbook From Acquisition Integration To Organic Growth

    AI is boosting demand and breaking planning models at the same time, and that tension shows up everywhere in electronics manufacturing services right now. From my home to yours, I sit down with Otto Pukk, President and CEO of INCAP, to take stock after Q1 and get specific about what a stronger 2026 actually depends on: execution, supply resilience, and a footprint that can serve customers where they need to build.  We talk through INCAP’s recent acquisition of Lacon and what “integration” really looks like in a lean, decentralized EMS organization. Otto shares why cultural fit matters more than slide decks, how cross-selling becomes a practical organic growth engine, and why customer concentration risk looks very different today than it did years ago. We also dig into the structural shifts required to scale, including a new regional approach that adds just enough governance to protect leadership time without taking ownership away from factory teams.  From there, we zoom out to geographic strategy and market forces. India plays a central role, not as a simple low-cost bet but as a capability and engineering hub, while the US market still feels like early innings. We also get into automation, early AI use in manufacturing, and the real-world headaches of component availability as AI data centers pull on semiconductor supply. Tariffs come up too, framed as a “new normal” that EMS partners have to navigate calmly. Finally, we tackle the defense boom with a balanced lens, including how startups and drones are reshaping defense electronics and manufacturing expectations.  If you found this useful, subscribe for more EMS leadership conversations, share the episode with a colleague, 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.

    25 мин.

  3. 8 июн.

    Building Unified Intelligence For The Electronics Supply Chain: Christoph Solka, Global Electronics Association

    Global EMS demand is back in growth mode, yet parts of Europe are still shrinking and the gap is getting harder to ignore. I sat down with Christoph Solka, Director Industry Intelligence at the Global Electronics Association to talk through what the latest data is really signaling and why “Europe vs the world” is too simple to be useful when the market is splitting by region, sector, and exposure to AI infrastructure. We also get into the behind-the-scenes story of building a unified electronics industry intelligence platform. With European EMS data, European PCB reporting, global rankings, and ongoing market analysis coming together at the Global Electronics Association, the big question becomes: how do you scale the system without breaking the trust that took decades to earn? Christoph explains why the first priority is strengthening the IT foundation, reducing error risk, and creating a platform that can handle larger-scale data collection while keeping the methodology steady and familiar for subscribers. Then we turn back to the numbers: why automotive weakness and local economic conditions weigh on Western Europe, why certain Eastern European players benefit more from AI-linked demand, and how defense spending can reshape outcomes in places like the Nordics. We also discuss a striking indicator of resilience: many companies improve margins even as revenue falls, and what that mix of cost control, headcount pressure, and agility says about the EMS industry right now. If you care about EMS market intelligence, PCB industry trends, and practical signals you can use for planning and strategy, this is a must-listen. Subscribe, share, and leave a review, then tell us: what single metric best predicts a turnaround where you operate? 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 мин.

  4. 27 мая

    On Location at ALL Circuits: President & CEO Bruno Racault on Disruption in European Automotive Manufacturing

    Carmakers are quietly changing the rules of the automotive supply chain, and it shows up first on the printed circuit board. From my recent visit to ALL Circuits' flagship facility south of Paris, I’m joined by President & CEO Bruno Racault to talk about why some EMS companies are doing better than the doom-and-gloom narrative around European automotive, and what “winning” looks like when the engine is no longer the center of the car. We get specific about the EV pivot: why ALL Circuits bet early on the growing need for OEM-controlled electronics, how carmakers bring engineering and intellectual property back inside, and why that move can squeeze traditional tier one suppliers that built their business on full ECU design-and-build. Bruno explains the new relationship many automakers want: they define the product, they keep the know-how, and they rely on electronics manufacturing services partners for PCB assembly, process discipline, and consistent quality. We also dig into what actually creates advantage in automotive electronics manufacturing: support that helps OEM teams understand manufacturing limits, DFX feedback that speeds up design changes, and the real cost of waiting on long logistics cycles. Yes, China can be cheaper and often better at execution, so we talk about humility, learning, and where Europe can still differentiate through innovation, supplier access, and faster iteration close to the customer. If you care about EV supply chains, PCB manufacturing, and how automakers are reshaping control of the vehicle’s electronics, listen through to the end and tell us what you think the next competitive edge will be. Subscribe, share with a colleague in automotive or electronics, and leave a review so more builders can 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.

    10 мин.

  5. 26 мая

    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 мин.

  6. 26 мая

    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 мин.

  7. 19 мая

    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 мин.

  8. 17 мая

    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 мин.
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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.

Информация

  • Автор
    Philip Spagnoli Stoten
  • Годы выхода
    2020 - 2026
  • Выпуски
    324
  • Ограничения
    Без ненормативной лексики
  • Авторские права
    © 2026 EMS@C-LEVEL
  • Сайт подкаста
    EMS@C-LEVEL

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