European EMS & PCB Industries with Dieter Weiss: How to Survive and Thrive

EMS@C-LEVEL

Whether it was a chip crisis or fake news (spoiler, Dieter thinks the latter is more likely), how did the inventory bubble, inflation and a slow economy become a perfect storm for the EMS market, and what strategies can companies use to weather the storm? Check out this episode of EMS@C-Level, where Dieter Weiss (in4ma and Data4PCB) joins me to dissect the OEM behaviors that led to this artificial surge in demand and subsequent market decline.
We explore the harsh reality many companies face as they operate below capacity, with looming losses in 2024. Through insightful discussions, well researched data and real life examples, we highlight how strategic mergers and acquisitions can offer much-needed stability. While, those companies with a sharp focus on aerospace and defense sectors emerge as resilient players in this challenging environment. Dieter underscores the challenge of being a ‘me-too’ business in a tough market.
The EMS industry in Europe is a tale of two regions, and we break that down. Eastern Europe, dominated by global giants like Foxconn, Flex and Jabil, contrasts sharply with the more fragmented landscape of Western Europe. We dive into the financial health and significant revenues of major players in both regions, while shedding light on the precarious and critical state of the European PCB industry. With recent closures and incidents adding to its woes, and stress in the supply chain, the future of European PCB manufacturing hinges on local production and a shift in OEM mentality. We tackle this pressing issue in our discussion, emphasizing the importance of supply chain security and independence from regions like China.
The IPC seminar in Gdansk, Poland, on 25th September is a focal point for industry leaders to gather, collaborate, and forge better paths forward. This free event by IPC and in4ma is a must-attend for those looking to gain essential insights from top executives, as well as access real analysis from in4ma around the first six months of 2024. I am delighted to have been asked to host the event, conduct the keynote interview with a senior leader from one of the industries largest players, and moderate the leadership roundtable where we plan to explore the pendulum like swing from globalization to regionalization. I really hope I see you there!
Join us for this episode and in person in Poland next month as we help navigate turbulent waters and uncover valuable information to help your business thrive amidst uncertainty.
For more information check out https://in4ma.de/?lang=en
To register for next months IPC Day in Gdansk - https://www.ipc.org/event/ipc-day-gdansk-poland

Like every episode of EMS@C-Level, this one was sponsored by global inspection leader Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Adaptable Automation Specialist Launchpad.build (https://launchpad.build).
You can see video versions of all of the EMS@C-Level pods on our YouTube playlist.

Chapters

1. European EMS & PCB Industries with Dieter Weiss: How to Survive and Thrive (00:00:00)

2. EMS Market Crisis and Strategies (00:00:08)

3. EMS Industry Trends in Europe (00:11:26)

4. European EMS Industry Challenges and Solutions (00:19:50)

5. Industry Event Registration Announcement (00:26:38)