EMSNOW

EMSNOW discusses Delvitech’s inspection system platform with the company’s CEO Roberto Gatti. Delvitech will showcase its groundbreaking Horus system, an all-in-one AI native platform for both Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) and Solder Paste Inspection (SPI), at the upcoming IPC APEX Expo 2025 in Anaheim. The software/hardware systems are fast, fully integrated and agnostic to what is being inspected as it can be trained for different types of inspection, including microelectronics and chiplets. The conversation includes detail about how their proprietary neural networks elevate inspection from detection to prediction of potential errors in the process. This is the company’s initial launch in the U.S. market, and they look forward to meeting the industry at Booth 846 at IPC APEX Expo in Anaheim, CA on March 18-20.

EMSNOW caught up with Kevin Clue, VP Global Sales, High Flex, Mycronic to learn about their record-breaking financial performance in 2024 and their latest solutions. Kevin explains Mycronic’s evolution over the past 6 or 7 years from focusing on low-volume/high mix customers, and pick and place machines to offering a full line solution including screen printers, inspection and material handling. Especially as software/hardware integrations are increasingly important, Mycronic’s full line solution offers substantial efficiencies. He comments that customers continue to be concerned about talent shortages, so training and getting systems up and running is key.

Kevin then goes on to outline their APEX 2025 offering; he invites attendees to see them at Booth 1842 in Anaheim.

EMSNOW concludes our Special Assignment podcast series on the global VTech CMS facilities with a tour of two buildings in the industrial park in Tecate Mexico. Eric describes his experience in detail beginning with an easy trip over the border into Mexico from San Diego to Tecate where VTech uses a shelter program to staff two businesses there. The first building is a commercial audio speaker manufacturing facility acquired from QSC in 2021 that continues to build audio systems for indoor and outdoor music venues. The second building is a purpose-built EMS facility that started as an empty shell and is in the process of setting up SMT lines to enable VTech to provide regional EMS support for its global customers.

This compelling, must-listen podcast includes detailed observations about VTech's strategy as well as general thoughts about labor trends in Mexico, coming tariffs from new U.S. administration, why companies choose Mexico for 'the 3As (aerospace, automotive, and appliances) and why the 'near-shoring' strategy continues to gain momentum.

For more information: https://www.vtechcms.com/

In this podcast, recorded in Hong Kong, Eric describes his visit to the VTech CMS NPI Centre, which houses 100+ engineers providing electrical, mechanical and software engineering expertise to customers. Launched in 2020, the NPI Center operates at the center of the Shenzhen cluster of universities, new product incubators, and supplier ecosystem ensuring a vibrant, innovative community for 'new product realization.'

Eric shares his insights from the visit including the intense focus the engineers have on meeting customers where they are in the product development cycle. VTech CMS’ vast experience in electronics manufacturing enables customers to leverage EMS and ODM services, especially in the area of professional audio and IoT applications. Particularly impressive are the displayed certifications in both production and design, including medical and automotive. 

The discussion previews the rest of the VTech CMS Special Assignment, including an exclusive interview with VTech CMS' CEO Andy Leung.

EMSNOW continues its travels with a stop in Dongguan, China. On special assignment for VTech's CMS division, EMSNOW focuses in this podcast on the VTech Science Park campus in China, and the company's manufacturing capabilities at this facility. Eric discusses the business strategy of the multiple SBUs, the level of automation and how they manage it, and the challenges of growing the business with very long-term customers, primarily from Japan and outside China. This facility does have capacity and is a very well established, experienced hardware manufacturing powerhouse. They also have considerable software and data analytic expertise in their Industry 4.0 lab. VTech CMS has over $1 billion in pure EMS revenue, and is ready to step into the next stage of growth. Stay tuned for more on this remarkable, yet little known company.

EMSNOW is on Special Assignment in Johor, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, touring the VTech CMS facility there. This podcast covers background on this largest EMS company that you likely haven't heard much about. The VTech Group operates in 14 countries, with 25,000 employees, offering electronic toys, residential phones, baby monitors, and contract manufacturing services (CMS). It's the VTech CMS operation that we will be focusing on, as this Special Series continues over the next few weeks. Listen in to learn about VTech's Malaysia facility, industry trends in this vibrant region, and the history of this EMS ranked #26 on the Manufacturing Market Insider (MMI) Top 50 list.

On this their final podcast of the 2024 Tour, the EMSNOW - in4ma team discusses their visit to Lacon Group in Karlsfeld, Germany. This self-described 'smart EMS integrator' focuses on low volume, complex systems, with facilities in Germany and eastern Romania. The box-build facility in Karlsfeld assembles the complex cable harnesses built in Romania with PCBs and completes final assembly for OEM customers in the mobility (aerospace and rail), industrial, defense, and medical industries. They provide EMS, ODM, software development, cable assembly, and prototype services. The discussion covers details about Lacon's certifications, the global footprint, and the sheer variety of the customer base, which were very impressive.

The podcast concludes with a general discussion of the Tour and the insights gained from these invaluable on-site visits with EMS companies in eastern Europe.
Be on the lookout for the report which will be posted on EMSNOW.com by year's end, and offered at no charge to the industry.

EMSNOW-in4ma On Tour is very grateful to our sponsors.

CalcuQuote - Empowering Supply Chain Visibility and Efficiency.
Cogiscan – Meeting the needs of high-reliability manufacturers since 1999.
Koh Young – Intelligent Inspection.
TrustedParts.com - Genuine electronic components from only authorized sources.

The EMSNOW-in4ma team describes their tour of the impressive Zollner facility in Satu Mare, Romania. The two have visited several other Zollner facilities in previous Tours and offered some insights into how this family-owned EMS keeps customer-centric policies at the forefront of their overall global strategy. The discussion includes the capabilities, scope and layout of this facility, and Zollner's commitment to the latest equipment upgrades, which are replicated across the globe. Dieter expressed surprise that he hadn't heard of some of the certifications they earned; and amazement that their state-of-the-art on-site IPC training boasted over 5,300 graduates. They discussed the rising labor costs and climbing cost of living in Romania and what that means to European manufacturing.

The conversation ends with some general comments about Romania EMS data from Dieter and a look ahead at the last company scheduled for EMSNOW-in4ma's On Tour 2024.

EMSNOW-in4ma On Tour is very grateful to our sponsors.

CalcuQuote - Empowering Supply Chain Visibility and Efficiency.
Cogiscan – Meeting the needs of high-reliability manufacturers since 1999.
Koh Young – Intelligent Inspection.
TrustedParts.com - Genuine electronic components from only authorized sources.

EMSNOW talks with INDIC EMS’ Managing Director Vivek Khanna about his company’s aggressive plans for global growth. Vivek will be presenting at Electronica’s PCB Forum on the topic of India’s emergence as a global hardware manufacturing hub.

The EMSNOW-in4ma On Tour team attends a global corporate strategy meeting at Connect Group where Dieter also made a presentation. This podcast includes a brief history of this unique EMS company; then Dieter drills down into their capabilities, market segments served, global facilities footprint and future expansion plans. They discuss the challenges of developing an automation strategy for high mix/low volume manufacturing, Connect Group's innovative efforts to streamline prototyping processes and inventory management, the importance of supporting domestic European PCB manufacturing, and why an OEM looking for an EMS with the right profile 'fit' would do well to consider Connect Group.
EMSNOW-in4ma On Tour is very grateful to our sponsors.

CalcuQuote - Empowering Supply Chain Visibility and Efficiency.
Cogiscan – Meeting the needs of high-reliability manufacturers since 1999.
Koh Young – Intelligent Inspection.
TrustedParts.com - Genuine electronic components from only authorized sources.