In this thoughtful  interview with Cicor Group CEO Alexander Hagemann, EMSNOW explores Cicor's remarkable journey over the past nine years to evolve into the pan-European EMS powerhouse it is today. Laser-focused on high mix/low volume customers that want strategic partnerships, Alexander has executed a down-to-earth strategy to streamline the organization and focus on creating a culture of integrity, trust and operational excellence. The wide-ranging conversation covers Alexander's leadership style, (he 'hates corporate politics'), Cicor's competitive advantage, acquisition strategy, and his thoughts on the current state of the industry and how it has changed in the past 10 years.

Luminovo is a software solution focused on improving the OEM and EMS industry’s quoting and procurement processes using AI. The company’s North American Business and Operations Lead Sam Mason explains his company’s recent expansion to North America and developments in the Luminovo platform.

The goal of the solution is to take bad component part data and harmonize it by comparing it to their continuously updated part library. This offering is already up and running; next step is provide a Chat-GPT style interface and help customers improve their internal processes. Using the platform is a game-changer to help customers speed up their quoting and procurement processes and supercharge their workflows. Sam explains that the Luminovo engineering team is the key to their success.

Luminovo will be at PCB East in Booth 504 on April 30. They are also hosting two webinars: May 6th, ‘How tariffs impact the future of the EMS industry in the US’ on May 6 and ‘How AI Agents will transform the AI Industry.’ on May 13. Go to Luminovo.com to sign up.

EMSNOW learns about Cetec ERP from Senior Consultant Scott Ryan. This software solution is specifically designed for the small to medium tier EMS where an all-in-one ERP system that seamlessly connects to MES enables these companies to compete with larger competitors. The discussion includes specifics about the challenges faced by smaller teams stretched thin and wearing more hats, and therefore needing tools that are well integrated.

Scott’s deep understanding of electronics manufacturing shines through in this insightful conversation. He talks at length about the realities of working with EMS where there is less standardization of process because of the need to reflect the OEM customer’s way of operating. Cetec ERP accommodates the unique characteristics of the EMS world. Scott’s observations about how they adapt to varying data format, set-up and training requirements are a fascinating glimpse into the current state of the industry’s practices.

The conversation ends with news about Cetec ERP’s upcoming fall user event in Austin – ERPalooza 2025 – that promises to uplift customers and their processes with training, networking and Texas BBQ.

EMSNOW gets an update on activities of the Printed Circuit Board Association of America (PCBAA) from its Executive Director, David Schild. David contends that while there are substantial changes in U.S. trade policy from the new administration, he’s confident that the bi-partisan ‘manufacture in the U.S.’ theme is still very much on the agenda. While PCBAA’s strategies and tactics will adjust to whatever happens, the main mission will go forward. He continues to meet with members, potential members and other manufacturing-oriented associations to forge the relationships to enable him to educate, advocate and legislate on behalf of the PCB industry.

The discussion also covers coming events for the industry where David will be available to meet, including IPC’s APEX 2025 in Anaheim, PCB East and PCB West, and the PCBAA annual meeting in Washington DC June 10-12.

Edita Dragolj, Co-founder and Partner Manager of GreenChips explains their AI-driven component marketplace to EMSNOW in this informative conversation. She explains the process for working with GreenChips for suppliers and customers with the goal of addressing excess inventory sustainably. The conversation covers the two business models available, how the components are verified, their global footprint and the overall goals of the organization and how it benefits the industry and the environment by reducing e-waste.

EMSNOW gets a preview of in4ma’s latest European EMS Industry Report from Dieter Weiss. This year’s report is based on participation from 427 European companies, which represents 42% of the total industry in Europe, Dieter explains. Highlights include the growth rates, how many companies have left the industry, and analysis of what these performance data means about the state of the industry. They discuss where the bright spots were in the market sectors served. Bottom line, he says, companies in Europe are very nervous. Dieter also discusses the current state of the European defense industry and the wake up call they received from the current US administration, current inventory levels, and a deep dive on the automotive sector.

And finally, they hint at another On Tour in Europe early this summer. It’s an insight-packed discussion with the premiere European EMS industry expert.

EMSNOW catches up with John Magee, President Sales and Operations, and  Andy Barnett, Vice President of Business Development, at independent distributor Freedom. They share their insights into current market conditions at the beginning of 2025 for the industry and for Freedom's business. The discussion touches on what customers want in turbulent times, and how expectations have changed dramatically since the pandemic and through the supply chain allocations that followed. It is an insightful conversation about the place of an independent distributor in the component channel.

EMSNOW discusses the EMS industry in India with Vivek Khanna, CEO of INDIC EMS Electronics. Growth is continuing in 2025 at both the top level and with middle sector OEMs. It's a massive opportunity for the region and INDIC EMS is fully invested in the trend. Vivek describes his company's educational outreach to women, including training programs to alleviate potential labor shortages. The discussion includes how the electronics manufacturing ecosystem is evolving and developing in India. They also discuss INDIC EMS's Customer First culture, new capabilities in automation with their SAP upgrade, a new facility coming online in early 2026, and what's in store for the company in 2025.

EMSNOW speaks with David Loftus, President and CEO of the Electronic Component Industry Association (ECIA) to help component customers better understand the nuances of lead times. Now that we are a few years past the supply chain disruptions from the pandemic, it's a good time to reflect on what happened and what lessons were learned. 

The leadership of the ECIA - comprising component manufacturers, their distributors and the independent sales reps - is committed to educating the industry on why there were so many false signals and miscommunication about inventory, especially semiconductors, and how the component channel has responded to build resiliency into the supply chain. It's a fascinating, must hear conversation with an industry expert who has a deep understanding of semiconductors. 

For more information about this critical topic, David suggests ECIA's resource page for customers, www.ecianow.org/buyers-engineers.

EMSNOW learns about Austin, Texas based Cetec ERP’s unique cloud-based platform from Tanner Rogers, the company’s Senior Consultant. This is a platform designed for difficult manufacturing environments like EMS/PCBA and delivers an all-in-one SaaS suite from sales and quoting to inventory management, document management, shop floor control, quality management, and financial accounting. Tanner explains the evolution of the company from the product launch in 2015, how customers have responded to its cost effective and easy to use features, and why the pricing model has resonated so well with the electronics manufacturing industry.

Tanner invites EMSNOW readers to visit the team at APEX 2025 in Anaheim. They will be in Booth 2802.