EMSNOW

EMSNOW and Season Group's President and CEO Carl Hung discuss the 50-year history of Carl's family business and the industry as a whole. Carl marvels at the incredible resilience of EMS companies that have survived the challenges of the past 20 years, and shares insights into how Season Group has managed. The conversation covers the current disruptions of tariffs and geopolitical shifts and how companies that survived the supply chain constraints of Covid are adapting to these new challenges and emerging even stronger. Season Group is well-positioned and Carl explains exactly what their competitive advantage brings to their customer base. It's a fascinating and inspiring conversation.

In this insight packed interview EMSNOW speaks with Francisco Almada Lobo, CEO of Critical Manufacturing MES. Critical has just hosted their most recent Summit where 600 attendees met in Portugal to explore the opportunities and challenges of MES. From the first session, the topic of AI 'set the stage on fire' with all the possibilities these new technologies bring to the table. 

Francisco explains the evolution of MES data strategies: originally the software worked with discrete transactions; then the software engineers were able to enrich this base with contextual information allowing more analytics by training through classical machine learning. AI opens up massive new capabilities, but it too is quickly evolving. 

Critical Manufacturing is helping customers navigate it all by hosting events like the Summit and publishing detailed white papers and training. Digital transformation is dependent on the level of digitalization that the operation has achieved, he says, and that isn't something that can be purchased, but must happen in partnership with a partner that understands the industry deeply. 

This is a must-listen interview for any EMS grappling with how to benefit from these new AI technologies.

EMSNOW catches up with Jeroen Tuik, CEO, Connect Group to discuss their recent announcement about expanded operations in the U.S. Connect Group is a top tier EMS in Europe with global facilities; its facility in Romania was featured on EMSNOW/in4ma’s 2024 On Tour. Connect Group has a complete suite of services and is one of the Top 20 European-based EMS. Their customers are primarily in the industrial/automotive and defense sectors.

Jeroen explains that the timing and strategy behind the establishment of the new U.S. entity was driven by growing customer demand for American-made products and the need for localized, responsive manufacturing solutions, a trend that began with the disruptions during and after Covid. The discussion covers a number of dynamics in play during the decision-making process, including why Atlanta and why they decided to build greenfield capabilities rather than through an acquisition. Jeroen also provides details about how their Mexico facility fits into their overall Americas go to market plan to best serve their customers.

In an information-packed wrap-up, the EMSNOW and in4ma On Tour 2025 team takes a step back from the Central and Eastern European EMS facilities visited to comment on the overall trends in the industry at this critical point in time. Dieter provides a data-backed characterization of the overall EMS market in Europe, including many fascinating datapoints teasing in4ma's extensive market research. The two discuss the key market sectors driving growth in Europe; the impact (or lack thereof) of the U.S. tariff situation, the dramatic changes in manufacturing capabilities, including the increase in clean room capacity; automation and labor trends; as well as a forecast for the last half of 2025 and beyond. It's a thoughtful and clear snapshot of electronics manufacturing in Europe from two of the arguably most knowledgeable experts in this fascinating and essential industry.

EMSNOW wishes to acknowledge this year’s tour sponsors

CalcuQuote - Source, Quote, Purchase Smarter — All in One Platform.
Cogiscan – Meeting the needs of high-reliability manufacturers since 1999
Koh Young –True 3D Smart Factory Solutions, Powered by AI.
TrustedParts.com - Genuine electronic components from only authorized sources.

Their generous support enables us to conduct these insightful tours and share critical industry intelligence. We invite you to explore how each of these innovative companies can enhance your operational efficiency and manufacturing capabilities.

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

EMSNOW and in4ma's Dieter Weiss discuss the Third in4ma European EMS and PCB Forum held this year in Bonn Germany. They go deep on the attendees, networking opportunities, quality of data and comparisons with previous events. This is the premiere event for executive management teams, well-vetted suppliers, and investors who return each year for the superb data analysis and frank industry discussion about the ever-changing European electronics manufacturing business.

EMSNOW wishes to acknowledge this year’s tour sponsors

CalcuQuote - Source, Quote, Purchase Smarter — All in One Platform.
Cogiscan – Meeting the needs of high-reliability manufacturers since 1999
Koh Young –True 3D Smart Factory Solutions, Powered by AI.
TrustedParts.com - Genuine electronic components from only authorized sources.

Their generous support enables us to conduct these insightful tours and share critical industry intelligence. We invite you to explore how each of these innovative companies can enhance your operational efficiency and manufacturing capabilities.

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

The EMSNOW and in4ma Tour 2025 makes its last stop at the Kitron facility in the Czech Republic. Kitron is a global public EMS listed on the Oslo exchange; it is #6 on in4ma's list of Top European EMS with facilities across the globe. Our two experts discuss in depth Kitron's history, global footprint, background and market strategy, including recent activities to maintain that #6 European EMS position in these turbulent times. The conversation then turns to the facility in Lanškroun, Czech Republic and a detailed analysis of the operation there. The insights gained from the EMSNOW and in4ma 2025 Tour build on the knowledge base built up over these last few years and is essential listening for all those doing business in the electronics manufacturing arena.

EMSNOW wishes to acknowledge this year’s tour sponsors

CalcuQuote - Source, Quote, Purchase Smarter — All in One Platform.
Cogiscan – Meeting the needs of high-reliability manufacturers since 1999
Koh Young –True 3D Smart Factory Solutions, Powered by AI.
TrustedParts.com - Genuine electronic components from only authorized sources.

Their generous support enables us to conduct these insightful tours and share critical industry intelligence. We invite you to explore how each of these innovative companies can enhance your operational efficiency and manufacturing capabilities.

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

Recorded after a long drive to the Czech Republic from their last visit to several FLEX facilities in Hungary, EMSNOW and in4ma's Dieter Weiss discuss FLEX's amazing advanced manufacturing capabilities. The first facility was a highly automated manufacturing operation dedicated to serving primarily the automotive sector; the second was a plant serving both automotive manufacturing including a clean room certified area, as well as the industrial and computing sectors; they then toured a new facility being developed for primarily automotive customers and other industrial programs; and finally a unique non-Flex facility operating as a 'proving ground' for all types of vehicles and related products. Both of these experienced EMS experts were highly impressed with these tours. Conclusion: FLEX has rightly earned its reputation as a world class electronics manufacturer. Listen to their detailed insights on this fascinating podcast.

EMSNOW wishes to acknowledge this year’s tour sponsors

CalcuQuote - Source, Quote, Purchase Smarter — All in One Platform.
Cogiscan – Meeting the needs of high-reliability manufacturers since 1999
Koh Young –True 3D Smart Factory Solutions, Powered by AI.
TrustedParts.com - Genuine electronic components from only authorized sources.

Their generous support enables us to conduct these insightful tours and share critical industry intelligence. We invite you to explore how each of these innovative companies can enhance your operational efficiency and manufacturing capabilities.

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

EMSNOW and in4ma On Tour visits Eurocircuits in Hungary to cover a very unique service offering in the electronics manufacturing ecosystem: PCB fabrication and PCBA assembly for prototypes. Eurocircuits' business model is laser-focused on this part of the industry that is less well known compared to EMS. The discussion covers our behind-the-scenes glimpse of Eurocircuits' unique data driven operations.

Eurocircuits is the largest prototype operation in Europe, and also the largest PCB manufacturer in Central/Eastern Europe. The model is unique because of the combination of prototyping and PCB manufacturing and assembly. Eric and Dieter unpack the amazing technology and software behind the industry-leading turnaround times that Eurocircuits offers its OEM and EMS customers. The conversation includes the background and history of the company, who they met with and what they learned about this fascinating and critical part of electronics manufacturing.

EMSNOW wishes to acknowledge this year’s tour sponsors

CalcuQuote - Source, Quote, Purchase Smarter — All in One Platform.
Cogiscan – Meeting the needs of high-reliability manufacturers since 1999
Koh Young –True 3D Smart Factory Solutions, Powered by AI.
TrustedParts.com - Genuine electronic components from only authorized sources.

Their generous support enables us to conduct these insightful tours and share critical industry intelligence. We invite you to explore how each of these innovative companies can enhance your operational efficiency and manufacturing capabilities.

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

The EMSNOW and in4ma team spends the day in Hungary visiting two Zollner Elektronik facilities there. The podcast discussion begins with an overview of how this well established German EMS began in 1988, before the reunification. Manfred Zollner's family history and deep concern for employees is legendary, and in clear evidence on this visit. Dieter and Eric cover the details of the two facilities, one in Vac and the other in Szügy Hungary, by describing the scope and capabilities of the operations, the culture and people that make it all possible and how this focus on low volume, extremely complex electronic systems in the industrial, medical and automotive sectors is expertly executed.

EMSNOW wishes to acknowledge this year’s tour sponsors

CalcuQuote - Source, Quote, Purchase Smarter — All in One Platform.
Cogiscan – Meeting the needs of high-reliability manufacturers since 1999
Koh Young –True 3D Smart Factory Solutions, Powered by AI.
TrustedParts.com - Genuine electronic components from only authorized sources.

Their generous support enables us to conduct these insightful tours and share critical industry intelligence. We invite you to explore how each of these innovative companies can enhance your operational efficiency and manufacturing capabilities.

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

EMSNOW and in4ma On Tour 2025 moves to Hungary with visits to the Katek and Prettl Electronics facilities. The conversation begins with in4ma's most recent data about EMS companies operating in Hungary and a brief summary of the context of the industry there. Then they turn to the details of the day's visits, including the global footprint of the parent organizations, the market sectors served, and the executives they spoke to. 

These two EMS industry experts shared thoughts on the challenges of market analysis in the ever-expanding end market segments for electronics, the nuances of the ODM vs joint design manufacturing models in terms of who owns the IP; observations about notable automation investments at both facilities; and the impact of U.S. tariffs on global M&A. The conversation ends with a warning about aggressive Chinese efforts to acquire companies in Europe, especially in the automotive sector in response to tariff threats.

EMSNOW wishes to acknowledge this year’s tour sponsors

CalcuQuote - Source, Quote, Purchase Smarter — All in One Platform.
Cogiscan – Meeting the needs of high-reliability manufacturers since 1999
Koh Young –True 3D Smart Factory Solutions, Powered by AI.
TrustedParts.com - Genuine electronic components from only authorized sources.

Their generous support enables us to conduct these insightful tours and share critical industry intelligence. We invite you to explore how each of these innovative companies can enhance your operational efficiency and manufacturing capabilities.

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