Navigating the Complexities of EMS Leadership and Growth with Amtech CEO Jay Patel

EMS@C-LEVEL · 26 Apr 2024 · 11m

What this episode covers

Jay Patel, CEO of Amtech, a high-mix, low-volume electronics manufacturing services (EMS) company based in Detroit, discusses strategies for maintaining customer loyalty through deep design collaboration and DFM. He highlights the critical challenge of talent acquisition in the current labor market, emphasizing that corporate culture and attitude are more important than pre-existing skills. Patel also addresses the impact of geopolitical trends on reshoring decisions, the role of automation in mitigating labor shortages, and the necessity of agility to survive ongoing supply chain disruptions.

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • OnTrack · 52m

    Breaking Down Electronics Manufacturing with Jay Patel

    Jay Patel, CEO of Amtech, an EMS provider in Michigan, discusses the transition from prototyping to volume production, emphasizing the critical role of supply chain risk analysis and the shift of component manufacturers like Texas Instruments selling directly to OEMs. He highlights Amtech's use of vapor phase reflow and AI-based inspection to ensure quality in high-mix, mid-volume production, while explaining how Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) rules help reduce costs and defects. Patel also addresses the industry's lack of standardized data formats, advocating for the adoption of IPC-2581 to streamline communication between designers, EMS providers, and PCB fabricators.

  • The Circuit · 42m

    EP 135: Talking Semiconductor Recruiting

    Michael Cunningham, founder of Lonergan Partners, discusses the semiconductor recruitment landscape, highlighting a projected talent shortage driven by AI growth and reshoring efforts. He notes that while US fab capacity is growing, it remains a small fraction of global output, and companies are increasingly seeking leaders with deep technical and customer-facing skills. The conversation covers the shift in hiring from pure sales to solution-oriented roles, the importance of soft skills and ownership for career advancement, and advice for both entry-level engineers and executive leaders navigating the current market.

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 42m

    BONUS: Gaps in the Manufacturing Industry (and what to do about them), LIVE from Fathom's Manufacturing Exchange in Hartland, WI

    Chris Luecke moderates a live panel at Fathom Digital Manufacturing's Hartland, WI facility, featuring Matt Weinheimer of Milwaukee Tool, Tim Fredericks of Rockwell Automation, Christine Vandergeist of AMI Metal Fabrication, and Carl Held of New Berlin Plastics. The discussion addresses critical gaps in manufacturing, including technology adoption barriers, talent retention strategies, and supply chain resilience. The panelists emphasize starting with specific problems rather than solutions, engaging shop-floor employees in change management, and building robust data strategies to support AI and automation initiatives.

  • The Manufacturing Executive · 48m

    Why It's a Great Time to be in Manufacturing w/ Doug Woods

    Doug Woods, President of AMT (The Association for Manufacturing Technology), explains why the current era is optimal for manufacturing due to reshoring trends, government investments like the CHIPS Act, and advanced technologies including additive manufacturing, AI, and robotics. He details AMT's role in providing industry intelligence and market access through global technology centers and the IMTS trade show. Woods argues that while supply chain disruptions accelerated the need for domestic production, technologies like digital twins and cobots are essential to overcoming labor shortages and scaling production efficiently.

  • The Manufacturing Executive · 28m

    Obstacles to Quickly Reshoring American Manufacturing w/ Rylan Pyciak

    Rylan Pyciak, founder and president of Cleveland Automation, discusses the significant obstacles to rapidly reshoring American manufacturing, citing infrastructure deficits, a complex global supply chain, and a critical labor skills gap. He explains that while automation can help fill roles in 'dirty, dull, and dangerous' positions, the lack of experienced tradespeople and outdated facility infrastructure in traditional manufacturing hubs like Pittsburgh and Detroit slows progress. Pyciak shares a success story of a client who successfully reshored operations to the US Midwest, increasing production and creating 130 new jobs by addressing supply chain bottlenecks and investing in local vendor relationships.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by EMS@C-LEVEL. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.