# Unpacking Polytron-Print's Resilience in the European PCB Landscape with CEO Michael Müller

- Show: [EMS@C-LEVEL](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level)
- Published: 2024-01-23
- Length: 9m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-01-23-unpacking-polytron-prints-resilience-in-the-european-pcb-landscape-with-ceo-mich

## Summary

Michael Müller, CEO of Polytron Print, explains how his mid-sized German PCB manufacturer survives by focusing on high-quality, flexible production for industrial OEMs rather than price-sensitive EMS providers. He details the strategic decision to avoid the automotive sector and instead cultivate long-term relationships with customers who value 'Made in Germany' reliability and 20-year product lifecycles. Müller also discusses the critical challenge of talent acquisition in a competitive labor market, highlighting their strategy of building an internal workforce through apprenticeships to retain skilled staff.

## Chapters

- [0:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-01-23-unpacking-polytron-prints-resilience-in-the-european-pcb-landscape-with-ceo-mich#t=8) Introduction: Michael Müller and Polytron Print
- [1:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-01-23-unpacking-polytron-prints-resilience-in-the-european-pcb-landscape-with-ceo-mich#t=76) Reshoring trends and the value of Made in Germany
- [2:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-01-23-unpacking-polytron-prints-resilience-in-the-european-pcb-landscape-with-ceo-mich#t=178) Customer mix: Industrial OEMs vs. EMS providers
- [4:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-01-23-unpacking-polytron-prints-resilience-in-the-european-pcb-landscape-with-ceo-mich#t=278) Strategic insulation from automotive and price wars
- [5:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-01-23-unpacking-polytron-prints-resilience-in-the-european-pcb-landscape-with-ceo-mich#t=350) Talent acquisition and the apprenticeship model
- [7:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-01-23-unpacking-polytron-prints-resilience-in-the-european-pcb-landscape-with-ceo-mich#t=476) 2024 outlook and ecosystem risks

## Topics

- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Polytron Print (company)
- Adeon technologies (company)
- Koh Young (company)
- Global Electronics Association (company)
- Productronica 2023 (other)
- Daimler (company)
- Bosch (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Building for Long-Term Success w/ Ron Speicher and David Craft](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2023-08-29-building-for-long-term-success-w-ron-speicher-and-david-craft) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [An Interview with Laen - Purple PCB Philosophy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-06-12-an-interview-with-laen-purple-pcb-philosophy) (The Amp Hour)
- [407: Boards Are Like Sandwiches](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-03-24-407-boards-are-like-sandwiches) (Embedded.fm)
- [PCB Industry Evolution: From Mom & Pop Shops to Consolidation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-08-26-pcb-industry-evolution-from-mom-pop-shops-to-consolidation) (OnTrack)
- [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)

## Citing this page

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