# EMS@C-LEVEL Season #2021 Episode #6 with Case Engelen, CEO of TITOMA

- Show: [EMS@C-LEVEL](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level)
- Published: 2021-08-09
- Length: 25m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2021-08-09-ems-c-level-season-2021-episode-6-with-case-engelen-ceo-of-titoma

## Summary

Case Engelen, CEO of TITOMA, explains how his company helps Western electronics firms navigate component shortages by designing for disruption, such as parallel-designing Bluetooth modules and reserving PCB space for MCU changes. He discusses the 'China Plus' strategy, noting that while final assembly may move to Southeast Asia or Taiwan to avoid tariffs, China’s deep component infrastructure remains irreplaceable for the next 5-10 years. Engelen highlights the 'whiplash effect' in ordering, where manufacturers hoard inventory from IC makers, creating market distortion and forcing clients to order components years in advance.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2021-08-09-ems-c-level-season-2021-episode-6-with-case-engelen-ceo-of-titoma#t=7) Introduction: Case Engelen and TITOMA's 'On Time, On Budget' Philosophy
- [3:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2021-08-09-ems-c-level-season-2021-episode-6-with-case-engelen-ceo-of-titoma#t=192) Taiwan's Pandemic Response and Supply Chain Disruptions
- [6:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2021-08-09-ems-c-level-season-2021-episode-6-with-case-engelen-ceo-of-titoma#t=383) Designing for Disruption: Mitigating Component Shortages
- [10:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2021-08-09-ems-c-level-season-2021-episode-6-with-case-engelen-ceo-of-titoma#t=621) The Whiplash Effect and Hoarding in the Semiconductor Market
- [14:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2021-08-09-ems-c-level-season-2021-episode-6-with-case-engelen-ceo-of-titoma#t=870) The 'China Plus' Strategy and Infrastructure Realities
- [19:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2021-08-09-ems-c-level-season-2021-episode-6-with-case-engelen-ceo-of-titoma#t=1152) Automation, Robotization, and the Future of Global Manufacturing

## Topics

- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- TITOMA (company)
- NRF (chip)
- STM32 (chip)
- Xiaomi (company)
- Opo (company)
- Foxconn (company)
- Flextronics (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [The Advantages and Challenges of Manufacturing in China with Case Engelen of Titoma](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-01-19-the-advantages-and-challenges-of-manufacturing-in-china-with-case-engelen-of-tit) (Predictable Designs Podcast)
- [The Future of PCB Manufacturing: Tariffs, Supply Chains & More](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-04-18-the-future-of-pcb-manufacturing-tariffs-supply-chains-more) (OnTrack)
- [Passing Storm or New Normal? How Should We Think of Today's Electronics Supply Chain?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2022-11-22-passing-storm-or-new-normal-how-should-we-think-of-todays-electronics-supply-cha) (Moore's Lobby)
- [What's In A Name?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2010-08-07-whats-in-a-name) (The Amp Hour)
- [Supply Chains and Manufacturing with Charles Lin of TechDesign](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-07-06-supply-chains-and-manufacturing-with-charles-lin-of-techdesign) (Predictable Designs Podcast)

## Citing this page

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