The Future of the European PCB Industry: Challenges and Opportunities with ILFA CEO Thomas Michels

EMS@C-LEVEL · 12 Jan 2024 · 8m

What this episode covers

Thomas Michels, CEO of ILFA and spokesperson for ZVEI Microelectronics, discusses the current state of the European PCB industry, highlighting the divergence between defense/medical sectors shifting to Europe and industrial clients returning to Asia for cost reasons. He emphasizes the need for a level playing field regarding energy costs, noting that European energy prices are three times higher than in America, which disproportionately affects energy-intensive PCB manufacturing. Michels also outlines strategies for overcoming talent shortages through in-house apprenticeship programs and leveraging automation and AI to improve quality and efficiency while reducing human intervention.

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