EMSNOW

EMSNOW speaks with Rosemary Coates, Founder and Executive Director of the Reshoring Institute for an update from the front lines of this growing trend. Rosemary describes her background in supply chain in the electronics industry, and how she came to the decision to develop the tools and methodology to help companies evaluate their global manufacturing strategies. Drawing on her deep expertise, she talks about the mission of the Reshoring Institute, the scope of their work as a non-profit keeping consulting costs down, and teaching the next generation of executives about manufacturing. She shares her insights about the impact of the recent government initiatives on reshoring trends, and advice to companies trying to optimize their global manufacturing footprint.

In the second part of EMSNOW’s interview with the new CEO of IMI Lou Hughes, the two go deeper into plans for the company’s future. The discussion covers IMI’s distinctive competitive edge as a mid-tier EMS competing with the big guys, his focus on automation, developing healthy relationships with customers based on ‘fairness’, his introduction of ‘challenger selling,’ and the long term benefits of a shorter supply chain. It’s an insightful conversation from a CEO with a determined vision for success.

EMSNOW interviews Lou Hughes, the new CEO of Integrated Micro-Electronics, Inc. (IMI) about his background and insights into his new role at this unique global EMS. He explains how he will shepherd IMI into the next phase of its journey. He will be reviewing the manufacturing footprint and corporate structure, to increase efficiency and make sure each person in the company understands his/her role and importance to the company’s overall success. He explains his focus in the first 100 days of his leadership in Part One of this thoughtful conversation.

EMSNOW discusses in4ma’s European EMS Mid-Year Survey Report with study author Dieter Weiss.

Part Two begins with an explanation from Dieter about the thinking behind his new metric, Revenue/SMT line. They then turn to Dieter’s forecast for what’s ahead for the industry, how EMS companies should be preparing now, and why OEMs should commit to financially healthy electronics manufacturing services providers. They close by announcing their fall EMSNOW/in4ma On Tour plans.

For more information about this important research, go to www.in4ma.de.

EMSNOW discusses in4ma’s European EMS Mid-Year Survey Report with study author Dieter Weiss. Dieter’s methodology relies on what he calls ‘real numbers’ i.e. actual reported performance data rather than general forecasts or rumours, resulting in unshakeable benchmarking data for sound decision-making.

Part One of this discussion focuses on the the dramatic slowdown this year in European EMS. They discuss the different market sectors that are showing strength and weakness, and go deeper into the reasons why the first half of 2024 has been so challenging. They discuss the current status of excess inventory challenges; how the ‘big three’ players – Foxconn, Flex, and Jabil which represent about 30% of the revenues in Europe – impact the trends; and what everyone wants to know, which is, ‘where have all the orders gone?’

For more information about this important research, go to www.in4ma.de.

EMSNOW learns about component distribution trends in India from Rakesh Kumar, Sales and Business Development Director for Win Source Electronics. Rakesh is based in that growing market for EMS. He describes how and where the growth is occurring, and where the products are going, including electric vehicles, other subsystems for automobiles, renewable energy, and smart phones among other markets. He shares his insights into how the eco-system is evolving, the current state of the inventory overhang, his forecast for the next few quarters and how Win Source’s online platform helps customers manage their supply chain.

Roberto Gatti, CEO of automated optical inspection company Delvitech SA, explains to EMSNOW how artificial intelligence is totally integrated into their solution, enabling their system to go beyond what is currently possible with AOI technology. The AI is not an add-on commodity but an integral part of the engineering. This approach reduces waste by preventing errors in real time and by inspecting the board without destroying it. The discussion also includes details of how this system learns, which makes it capable of inspecting odd-shaped components, metal and plastic parts, and responding quickly to new board designs.

EMSNOW caught up with Joel Scutchfield, General Manager of SMT Business Operations & Director of Sales, Koh Young America, Inc. to learn how Koh Young has responded to inspection requirements in the system-in-package and semiconductor manufacturing environment. He discusses the pace of trends like reshoring semiconductor, packaging, and substrate manufacturing activities to the Americas and how Koh Young’s technology is evolving to meet the needs of these environments. He shares his insights about where this is going and how fast companies will be able to ramp up. It’s an information-packed conversation about a fast-moving global shift from an industry expert.

Eric and Dieter discuss the last company visit to DBK EMS, an electronics company founded in 1946 to develop heating systems for post-war Germany; now the EMS division serves that end market and others in Europe. The managers they talked with asserted the belief that in order to be competitive in Germany, you must automate manufacturing and this was evident in the lines they saw. The two experts then engage in a collegial and insightful discussion of the state of the European EMS industry as they saw it during these two weeks on the road. They say goodbye until next time, after noting the accomplishments of their ground-breaking trip.

EMSNOW wishes to acknowledge and thank this year’s tour sponsors:

Cogiscan – the factory digitalization partner for electronics manufacturers globally
Luminovo – your copilot for quoting and procuring PCBAs
Mycronic – Bringing tomorrow´s electronics to life
TrustedParts – Genuine electronic components from only authorized sources.

Their support allows us to conduct these tours and provide these important insights to the industry.  Please check them out.

If you wish to connect with Eric Miscoll or Dieter Weiss please email them directly at:  [email protected] or [email protected]

Eric and Dieter unpack the invaluable data and insights presented at this year's successful in4ma EMS Forum in Ulm, Germany. This invitation-only event for EMS and PCB executives was mostly in German and covered the challenges of running a profitable business in these tumultuous times. The two discuss the overall business mood of the CEOs in attendance, the theme of the event, a summary of each presentation and when and where the next event will take place.

EMSNOW wishes to acknowledge and thank this year’s tour sponsors:

Cogiscan – the factory digitalization partner for electronics manufacturers globally
Luminovo – your copilot for quoting and procuring PCBAs
Mycronic – Bringing tomorrow´s electronics to life
TrustedParts – Genuine electronic components from only authorized sources.

Their support allows us to conduct these tours and provide these important insights to the industry.  Please check them out.

If you wish to connect with Eric Miscoll or Dieter Weiss please email them directly at:  [email protected] or [email protected]