# Exploring Manufacturing and Reshoring Trends with Unimicron's Gerard van Dierendonck

- Show: [EMS@C-LEVEL](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level)
- Published: 2024-01-17
- Length: 7m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-01-17-exploring-manufacturing-and-reshoring-trends-with-unimicrons-gerard-van-dierendo

## Summary

Gerard van Dierendonck, head of Unimicron’s German facility, discusses the divergent trends in PCB manufacturing reshoring, noting that while renewable energy companies are moving production from China to Europe, the automotive sector remains tied to low-cost suppliers. He highlights the growing demand for CO2 footprint transparency from global clients and explains how Unimicron uses high automation to mitigate European skill shortages. Van Dierendonck warns that high energy prices, bureaucratic hurdles, and lack of subsidies make it difficult for the European PCB industry to compete with China and the US.

## Chapters

- [0:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-01-17-exploring-manufacturing-and-reshoring-trends-with-unimicrons-gerard-van-dierendo#t=8) Introduction to Unimicron and the German Facility
- [1:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-01-17-exploring-manufacturing-and-reshoring-trends-with-unimicrons-gerard-van-dierendo#t=86) Reshoring Trends: Automotive vs. Renewable Energy
- [3:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-01-17-exploring-manufacturing-and-reshoring-trends-with-unimicrons-gerard-van-dierendo#t=196) Sustainability and CO2 Footprint Requirements
- [4:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-01-17-exploring-manufacturing-and-reshoring-trends-with-unimicrons-gerard-van-dierendo#t=268) Automation and Skill Shortages in Europe
- [5:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-01-17-exploring-manufacturing-and-reshoring-trends-with-unimicrons-gerard-van-dierendo#t=321) Challenges for the European PCB Industry

## Topics

- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Unimicron (company)
- Miller (company)
- Bosch (company)
- Hella (company)
- Conti (company)
- Productronica (other)
- Adeon technologies (company)
- Koh Young (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Why Reshoring Electronics to the US is Harder Than You Think](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-01-29-why-reshoring-electronics-to-the-us-is-harder-than-you-think) (OnTrack)
- [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)
- [Solar Cells, SparkFun, TSMC - The Detroit Debunking](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-01-05-solar-cells-sparkfun-tsmc-the-detroit-debunking) (The Amp Hour)
- [Inside PCBAA's Fight for American Circuit Board Manufacturing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-07-30-inside-pcbaas-fight-for-american-circuit-board-manufacturing) (OnTrack)
- [OnTrack PCB Design Podcast 2025 Year in Review](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-12-30-ontrack-pcb-design-podcast-2025-year-in-review) (OnTrack)

## Citing this page

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