# Electronics Manufacturing Insights from Eric Miscoll and Dieter Weiss at Apex 2024

- Show: [EMS@C-LEVEL](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level)
- Published: 2024-04-15
- Length: 19m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-04-15-electronics-manufacturing-insights-from-eric-miscoll-and-dieter-weiss-at-apex-20

## Summary

Eric Miscoll and Dieter Weiss of EMSNOW and in4ma On Tour discuss their upcoming research tours in Tunisia, France, and Germany, highlighting Tunisia's cost-competitive labor and high SMT density. They analyze the US EMS market, noting that 80% of companies are small (<$30M revenue) and emphasizing the importance of benchmark data, which they are compiling with IPC support to replace industry 'gut feeling.' The conversation contrasts the fragmented US landscape with the more community-driven European model, while discussing the strategic value of customer intimacy and automation in mitigating labor shortages.

## Chapters

- [0:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-04-15-electronics-manufacturing-insights-from-eric-miscoll-and-dieter-weiss-at-apex-20#t=8) Introduction: Philip Stoten, Eric Miscoll, and Dieter Weiss at APEX 2024
- [1:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-04-15-electronics-manufacturing-insights-from-eric-miscoll-and-dieter-weiss-at-apex-20#t=77) Tunisia EMS Landscape: Companies, Ownership, and SMT Density
- [3:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-04-15-electronics-manufacturing-insights-from-eric-miscoll-and-dieter-weiss-at-apex-20#t=209) Tunisia Economics: Labor Costs, Unemployment, and Logistics
- [5:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-04-15-electronics-manufacturing-insights-from-eric-miscoll-and-dieter-weiss-at-apex-20#t=331) US EMS Market Trends: Labor, Margins, and Reshoring
- [8:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-04-15-electronics-manufacturing-insights-from-eric-miscoll-and-dieter-weiss-at-apex-20#t=480) US Market Structure: Small Companies vs. Global Giants
- [11:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-04-15-electronics-manufacturing-insights-from-eric-miscoll-and-dieter-weiss-at-apex-20#t=661) US Benchmarking Project: Data Collection and IPC Partnership
- [14:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-04-15-electronics-manufacturing-insights-from-eric-miscoll-and-dieter-weiss-at-apex-20#t=899) Future Tours: Europe, Flex, and Teltonika

## Topics

- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- EMSNOW (company)
- in4ma On Tour (other)
- Starshipcom (company)
- Vistion (company)
- Lacroix (company)
- All Circuits (company)
- Allianz Electronics (company)
- Astillesh (company)
- Zollner (company)
- C-Core (company)
- Phoenix Mecano (company)
- AfriVision (company)
- Fuba (company)
- IPC (other)
- Flex (company)
- Teltonika (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [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)
- [What's In A Name?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2010-08-07-whats-in-a-name) (The Amp Hour)
- [Breaking Down Electronics Manufacturing with Jay Patel](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-12-23-breaking-down-electronics-manufacturing-with-jay-patel) (OnTrack)
- [Cheap Respins And A Time Machine - Multiscience Mercenary Marketplace](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-06-04-cheap-respins-and-a-time-machine-multiscience-mercenary-marketplace) (The Amp Hour)
- [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)

## Citing this page

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