# ACDi CEO Bill Hornbaker on Mastering Adaptability and Innovating Growth in EMS

- Show: [EMS@C-LEVEL](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level)
- Published: 2024-06-13
- Length: 13m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-06-13-acdi-ceo-bill-hornbaker-on-mastering-adaptability-and-innovating-growth-in-ems

## Summary

Bill Hornbaker, CEO of ACDi, traces the company's evolution from a PCB layout service to an EMS provider with three locations through strategic acquisitions like Patapsco Designs and Fawn Industries. He discusses the shift toward defense, industrial controls, and EV home chargers, highlighting the importance of reshoring and adapting to market demands. Hornbaker emphasizes ACDi's internal culture of promoting from within to combat talent shortages and their strategic investment in digital transformation and standardized inspection technology from Koh Young to maintain quality and efficiency.

## Chapters

- [0:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-06-13-acdi-ceo-bill-hornbaker-on-mastering-adaptability-and-innovating-growth-in-ems#t=8) Introduction: ACDi's Origins and Early Pivot to Assembly
- [2:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-06-13-acdi-ceo-bill-hornbaker-on-mastering-adaptability-and-innovating-growth-in-ems#t=175) Strategic Acquisitions: Patapsco Designs and Fawn Industries
- [4:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-06-13-acdi-ceo-bill-hornbaker-on-mastering-adaptability-and-innovating-growth-in-ems#t=253) Market Shifts: Defense, Renewables, and EV Charging
- [6:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-06-13-acdi-ceo-bill-hornbaker-on-mastering-adaptability-and-innovating-growth-in-ems#t=416) Talent Strategy: Promoting from Within and Training
- [9:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-06-13-acdi-ceo-bill-hornbaker-on-mastering-adaptability-and-innovating-growth-in-ems#t=541) Customer Centricity and Digital Transformation
- [11:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-06-13-acdi-ceo-bill-hornbaker-on-mastering-adaptability-and-innovating-growth-in-ems#t=662) Technology Standardization with Koh Young
- [12:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-06-13-acdi-ceo-bill-hornbaker-on-mastering-adaptability-and-innovating-growth-in-ems#t=757) Future Expansion and Conclusion

## Topics

- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- ACDi (company)
- Patapsco Designs (company)
- Circuit City Stores (company)
- Fawn Industries (company)
- Koh Young (company)
- Kim Boykin (other)

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- [Starting Small With AI and Emerging Manufacturing Technology w/ Jarred Knecht](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-07-30-starting-small-with-ai-and-emerging-manufacturing-technology-w-jarred-knecht) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [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)

## Citing this page

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