Kuehne+Nagel’s Inside Semicon

[0:02] Introduction 

[0:41] What is Silicon?  

[1:57] Silicon as a material 

[3:18] Silicon used in watch making 

[5:01] What are the benefits of using Silicon? 

[7:30] Why are industries moving towards Silicon? 

[9:45] What are the logistical demands of Silicon and how do we transport it? 

[12:10] How is logistics adapting to the semiconductor industry? 

[13:58] What is the future of Silicon?  

[17:18] Outro 

[0:02] Introduction 

[0:49] Who are Silicon Saxony and what do you do? 

[2::02] Nearshoring 

[4:18] EU chips act 

[7:21] Stem jobs and the talent pool 

[9:13] How Silicon Saxony provides support 

[10:59] Growth of the Semicon industry 

[13:48] Industry events 

[15:22] Final thoughts 

[15:45] Outro 

[1:00] The different types of tracking devices

[3:04] Smart labels

[4:36] Why are these products better than consumer solutions like an air tag

[5:15] Key functionality such as temperature, humidity & shock control

[6:20] How do these tools help with security

[8:23] The role of sensors

[10:16] How will technology advance in the future, especially for Semicon logistics?

[12:38] How is the current technology helping improve resilience in the supply chain

[14:08] In what situations do we use each tracking device?

[15:39] How Semicon has helped improve this technology in logistics

[16:30] How this data helps our customers

[0:03] Tom and John open the episode and give an introduction to servers

[0:55] John discusses and shows the different types of memory devices we’ve seen over time and how servers power these

[3:11] John and Tom discuss how data is driving the increased need for more servers

[4:00] Heat generation from server farms and the environmental impacts

[5:53] What are the logistical demands for the server supply chain

[9:17] John and Tom discuss what’s driving the need for servers

[14:00] Delivery and installation of servers

[17:14] Recap of the episode

[17:50] Final thoughts – the need for information

[18:53] Outro

[1:30] Our guest speaker Renata gives an intro into herself and her role at Kuehne+Nagel and how it impacts Semicon  

[4:21] John & Renata discuss how the Semicon industry has changed over the last few years and the impact on logistics 

[6:30] Renata explains the special service required for a Semicon supply chain  

[10:52] John & Renata discuss the different types of shipments within Semicon and what this means for logistics 

[12:00] Renata explains the quality standards required when shipping Semicon products 

[15:19] John & Renata give their thoughts on how the Semicon industry will continue to require change to modernise logistics 

[17:14] John talks about some of the small details that are needed when shipping Semicon products such as vibration control and what may need to be improved 

[18:35] Episode close

Hosts:

John Desmond

VP, key account management, Semicon & High-Tech, Global, Kuehne+Nagel

Tom Mulders

Key Account Manager, Semicon & High-Tech, Global, Kuehne+Nagel

[1:18] John explains in laymans terms what AI is and where we are today

[2:24] Tom asks John how AI links to the Semicon industry

[4:20] John explains how processing power and developments in microchips is advancing AI

[5:55] Tom & John discuss why standard microchips can’t be used for AI

[8:15] John shows an old tape player and compares it to the latest smart phone to explain how far we’ve come in terms of technology

[10:35] John talks about how far AI has come in the last years and why we’re seeing it move forward so quickly

[14:20] John uses a Bladerunner film reference to explain AI developments!

[15:50] Tom & John discuss how the logistics industry is using AI

[19:01] Tom & John share real life examples of semiconductor companies using AI

[20:20] John speaks about how far AI could go and could we really see the film iRobot become reality

[21:30] Tom asks John about the future of AI and what it means for certain jobs / careers

[24:24] John gives his thoughts on what he thinks will change within Semicon from an AI perspective

[27:14] John & Tom give their final thoughts on AI and what the future holds for Semicon

[30:00] Episode closes

As the industry increases output to meet soaring demand for chips, more and more focus is on the Sub-fab due to its role in meeting demand and because it’s also the part that uses the most energy and resources. In this episode, we will talk about how Semicon manufacturers are changing their ways to better manage energy, water, and chemicals, whilst also trying to reduce downtime and what this means for the supply chain.

Hosts:

John Desmond

VP, key account management, Semicon & High-Tech, Global, Kuehne+Nagel

Tom Mulders

Key Account Manager, Semicon & High-Tech, Global, Kuehne+Nagel

[1:07] John Tom discuss their new roles within the Semicon team at Kuehne+Nagel

[2:24] Tom asks John what is a sub-fab and how do you describe it?

[3.53] John uses a polaroid camera to explain how the sub-fab works

[6:18] How has the sub-fab evolved over time?

[8:33] John discusses the role of security, in terms of access control to a sub-fab site

[9:41] What is the impact of downtime in a sub-fab facility?

[12:07] When people think of Semiconductors and Semicon logistics, they think of waffers and capital equipment. However, the sub-fab is an integral part and requires its own unique supply chain

[13:45] John & Tom discuss how the sub-fab is becoming more sustainable

[18:20] Tom talks about ‘just in time’ delivery within logistics and how we as Kuehne+Nagel support the sub-fab supply chain in making this more sustainable

[19:00] John explains how important the time-critical service is within Semicon to prevent down-time

[21:45] What happens if something does stop running? And what is the process to get the sub-fab back up and running

[23:47] Tom recaps on the episode and John adds some final thoughts on what he thinks the future will look like for the sub-fab and it’s supply chain

John Desmond

VP, key account management, Semicon & High-Tech, Global, Kuehne+Nagel

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in electronic and electrical Engineering John worked as an engineer in the Semicon industry in both the Fab and Sub-fab moving into the EMS sector (electronics manufacturing services) and spent the last 15 years in the logistics sector at various locations throughout Europe. His expertise in high-tech was sought by a market-leading logistics company, to not only establish a specialist offering for this sector but also to bring his expertise to customer solutions.

His deep knowledge in these areas sees him well-placed to build a strategic, aligned, customer-centric service for this complex, fast-growing sector, in his current role.

Lars Eger

Head of key accounts, Semicon & High-Tech, Germany, Kuehne+Nagel

Since beginning his career in logistics in Stuttgart over 30 years ago, Lars has managed the accounts of some of the world’s leading high-tech and automotive logos, driven by his focus on enhancing supply chains, through service excellence and innovation.

Today, he is committed to rising to the challenge to help customers remain competitive, as these sectors evolve at pace, to meet surging demand.

[1:37] John & Lars explore the shift in the industry and Europe becoming more independent. There was a heavy reliance on the Asian market but companies are now investing into production facilities in Europe. ‘Bringing home the chips’.

[3:30] John poses the question on infrastructure and the challenges ahead. Lars uses Germany as a case study, discussing investment into places such as Dresden and Magdeburg and how they are setting up the relevant infrastructure.

[5:50] Together they dexplore where the people are going to come from to fill the need for these specialist roles in the future (STEM jobs) which this investment in the industry is creating.

[10:42] How do you retain staff? Lars & John discuss the specific roles and requirements of these jobs and how they differentiate to modern working. 

[13:24] Lars talks about all the jobs that will be created from suppliers on the back of investment into production facilities, creating a big knock-on effect from the demand.

[15:40] John explores the rise of organizations such as Silicon Saxony and High-Tech NL and how they are supporting the industry. Lars talks about Silicon Saxony and how Kuehne + Nagel are working together with them and their members. 

[18:22] John discusses why you can’t just retrofit the old fabs and make them newer. 

[22:29] Lars discusses that another reason companies are coming back to Europe is to be closer to their suppliers. And John adds that natural disasters are another issue causing problems in the current supply chain. 

[24:36] John talks about the US market and new facilities in Ohio & Texas which are facing the same staffing issues.

[26:33] Lars shares the importance of education and how Silicon Saxony are supporting Math programs at Schools & universities. 

[28:56] John & Lars discuss what they think the future will look like for sub-fabs.

John Desmond and Tom Mulders, two of Kuehne+Nagel’s experts in the #Semiconductor supply chain work relentlessly with customers to troubleshoot issues and find solutions to their challenges.  In Resilience in the Semicon Supply Chain, they discuss why a resilient supply chain is fundamental to the sector’s viability and what’s needed to achieve this.    

Anyone who works in or around Semicon - or is just curious to know more - is invited to tune in. 

[3:10] A look at ecteronic devices from the past, John show’s his home computer the sinclair  ZX80 from the 1980s and shows how far computers have come in the last 30 years in terms of computing power and the progress of the semicon industry.  

[5:30] Tom talks about the chip shortage which happened during Covid and how that impacted the supply chain. 

[8:30] John discusses how the landscape of the semiconductor industry is changing geographically due to the EU & US chips act.  

[10:11] Tom & John discuss why supply chain resilience is so important in the semiconductor industry.  

[13:00] John does back in time and talks about the history of Semicon, showing his old Nokia phone with Intel P4600 microprocessor chip.  

[16:17] John talks about the impact of AI and how we have bypassed the Turing test first created by Alan Turing, an English scientist.  

[19:00] John explains the impact on logistics from the development of Semicon products such as temperature control and light exposure. And how logistics companies must develop their technology in line with the semicon industry.  

[23:33] Tom asks John how important it is for goods to be available when they are needed. 

[27:00] John explains the methods needed in the process of a semicon supply chain and what options are available to Semicon companies including sustainable modes of transport. 

[30:18] John & Tom wrap up the episode on what topics were discussed.