# From China to Mexico, Adapting to Manufacturing Trends and Harnessing Data for Decision-Making, with IMI's Philip Reyes

- Show: [EMS@C-LEVEL](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level)
- Published: 2023-10-17
- Length: 7m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-10-17-from-china-to-mexico-adapting-to-manufacturing-trends-and-harnessing-data-for-de

## Summary

Philip Reyes, Head of Regional Engineering at IMI, discusses his 25-year journey from China to Mexico and the company's strategic shift toward the automotive and EV sectors in Guadalajara. He explains how IMI balances automation with manual processes based on customer requirements for quality and traceability, emphasizing the importance of treating suppliers like Panasonic and Koh Young as technical partners. Reyes highlights the critical role of real-time data from inspection tools like AOI and SPI in driving decision-making and improving first-pass yield.

## Chapters

- [0:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-10-17-from-china-to-mexico-adapting-to-manufacturing-trends-and-harnessing-data-for-de#t=8) Introduction: Philip Reyes and IMI's Global Journey
- [1:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-10-17-from-china-to-mexico-adapting-to-manufacturing-trends-and-harnessing-data-for-de#t=95) Manufacturing Trends in Guadalajara and the EV Sector
- [2:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-10-17-from-china-to-mexico-adapting-to-manufacturing-trends-and-harnessing-data-for-de#t=161) Balancing Automation and Manual Processes
- [3:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-10-17-from-china-to-mexico-adapting-to-manufacturing-trends-and-harnessing-data-for-de#t=226) Supplier Collaboration and Technical Partnerships
- [5:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-10-17-from-china-to-mexico-adapting-to-manufacturing-trends-and-harnessing-data-for-de#t=319) The Role of Data and AI in SMT Inspection
- [6:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-10-17-from-china-to-mexico-adapting-to-manufacturing-trends-and-harnessing-data-for-de#t=389) Future Expectations for IMI's Mexico Operations

## Topics

- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Test & measurement](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/test-and-measurement)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- IMI (company)
- Panasonic (company)
- Koh Young (company)
- AOI (tool)
- SPI (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Nearshoring Manufacturing from Asia to Mexico: Risks, Rewards, and Realities w/ Matt Hannula](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-10-07-nearshoring-manufacturing-from-asia-to-mexico-risks-rewards-and-realities-w-matt) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [248. Xometry’s Oscar Lovera & How AI Is Rebuilding Manufacturing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-07-14-248-xometrys-oscar-lovera-how-ai-is-rebuilding-manufacturing) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [260: Innovations Transforming Automotive Manufacturing featuring STÄUBLI, RAM Solutions, and More](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-11-04-260-innovations-transforming-automotive-manufacturing-featuring-staubli-ram-solu) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Starting Small With AI and Emerging Manufacturing Technology w/ Jarred Knecht](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-07-30-starting-small-with-ai-and-emerging-manufacturing-technology-w-jarred-knecht) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [How to Evaluate Suppliers and Manufacturers with Mike Morena and Shawn Litingtun](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-04-10-how-to-evaluate-suppliers-and-manufacturers-with-mike-morena-and-shawn-litingtun) (Predictable Designs Podcast)

## Citing this page

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