BONUS - EMS Thought for the Day (EMSNOW Special) #2 of 8 - Partnership Prevail

EMS@C-LEVEL · 20 Jul 2022 · 4m

What this episode covers

Philip Stoughton discusses the strained relationship between Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) providers, highlighting how supply chain shortages and pandemic disruptions have created adversarial dynamics. He argues that viewing these interactions as true partnerships, rather than transactional price negotiations, is essential for navigating component shortages and lead time uncertainties. Stoughton advocates for collaborative solutions like redesigning with available parts or adjusting build schedules, emphasizing that sustainable success requires shared responsibility for manufacturing and supply chain footprints.

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 13m

    Chip Shortage Denier

    Chris Gammell of Contextual Electronics returns from paternity leave to discuss the severe semiconductor supply chain crisis with host Dave Jones. They analyze how major companies like General Motors and Apple misjudged demand during the pandemic, leading to canceled orders and a subsequent shortage that persists due to long lead times for fab equipment and raw materials. Gammell details his personal struggles with component unavailability, forcing him to redesign circuits, swap microcontrollers, and shrink firmware to fit smaller, available parts, while Jones highlights the legal implications of force majeure notices from distributors like Bryman.

  • The Manufacturing Executive · 19m

    Strategic Sourcing During Volatile Times w/ Jim Pratt

    Jim Pratt, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Forsyth Advisors, discusses the current state of the supply chain crisis, noting that while the peak of shortages has passed, companies must now shore up weaknesses exposed by the demand surge. He advises manufacturers to focus on strategic sourcing, near-shoring, and automation rather than just negotiating lower prices with existing suppliers who are facing their own cost pressures. Pratt highlights specific challenges like commodity price volatility, container shortages, and the need for rapid redesigns to maintain competitiveness in volatile markets.

  • Moore's Lobby · 1h 19m

    Ep. 15 | The Emergence of the Virtual Supply Chain in a COVID-19 World

    Mark Burr-Lonnon of Mouser Electronics, Dave Doherty of Digi-Key, and Frank McKay of Jabil discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift to virtual supply chains and e-commerce in the electronics industry. The panelists explain how distributors are adapting by stocking more inventory for new product introductions (NPI) and providing rich technical content to support remote engineers, while Jabil emphasizes the importance of early engagement in design for manufacturing and supply chain transparency. They highlight the resilience of the supply chain despite disruptions in commercial air freight and regional lockdowns, noting that engineers are increasingly relying on digital tools and anonymous purchasing to navigate component shortages.

  • Moore's Lobby · 1h 09m

    Passing Storm or New Normal? How Should We Think of Today's Electronics Supply Chain?

    Michael Knight of TTI, Jeff Newell of Mouser Electronics, and Misha Govshteyn of MacroFab discuss the structural shift in the electronics supply chain from 'just-in-time' to 'just-in-case' inventory strategies. The panel highlights the rise of gray market components, the critical need for multisourcing and component engineering, and the integration of software-driven platforms like MacroFab to manage distributed manufacturing. They also address pricing inflation driven by legacy semiconductor demand and offer advice on engineering careers and supply chain resilience.

  • The Manufacturing Executive · 40m

    Building for Long-Term Success w/ Ron Speicher and David Craft

    Ron Speicher and David Craft of Davron Technologies, Inc. (DTI) explain how a small mechanical contractor evolved into a top U.S. industrial oven manufacturer by maintaining in-house operations to ensure supply chain resilience and quality. They discuss the challenges of component shortages during the pandemic, which forced them to pivot scheduling and communicate transparently with customers about extended lead times. The founders emphasize their strategy of hiring people of character, investing in their workforce, and fostering a culture where employees feel valued enough to want to retire at the company.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by EMS@C-LEVEL. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.