# Navigating EMS Trends: Insights from NOTE AB’s CEO, Johannes Lind-Widestam, on Industry Growth, Market Challenges, and Strategic Expansions

- Show: [EMS@C-LEVEL](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level)
- Published: 2024-07-16
- Length: 26m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-07-16-navigating-ems-trends-insights-from-note-abs-ceo-johannes-lind-widestam-on-indus

## Summary

Johannes Lind-Widestam, CEO of NOTE AB, discusses the company's recent quarterly results, highlighting robust growth in Western European industrial and defense sectors while noting significant slowdowns in 5G infrastructure and EV charging station demand due to inventory destocking and high interest rates. He explains how NOTE AB is leveraging its strong cash position to fund strategic facility expansions in Torsby, Pärnu, and Lund, while navigating talent acquisition challenges in the UK and maintaining a loyal workforce in China. The conversation also covers the company's proactive approach to manufacturing efficiency, its stance on M&A valuation discrepancies, and the shifting geopolitical landscape driving regional manufacturing strategies.

## Chapters

- [0:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-07-16-navigating-ems-trends-insights-from-note-abs-ceo-johannes-lind-widestam-on-indus#t=8) Quarterly Results: Industry Growth vs. Communication Slowdown
- [4:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-07-16-navigating-ems-trends-insights-from-note-abs-ceo-johannes-lind-widestam-on-indus#t=263) Inventory Destocking and Interest Rate Impacts on Demand
- [10:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-07-16-navigating-ems-trends-insights-from-note-abs-ceo-johannes-lind-widestam-on-indus#t=611) Cash Position and M&A Valuation Challenges
- [13:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-07-16-navigating-ems-trends-insights-from-note-abs-ceo-johannes-lind-widestam-on-indus#t=816) Manufacturing Excellence and Profitability Strategy
- [15:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-07-16-navigating-ems-trends-insights-from-note-abs-ceo-johannes-lind-widestam-on-indus#t=938) Facility Expansions in Torsby, Pärnu, and Lund
- [19:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-07-16-navigating-ems-trends-insights-from-note-abs-ceo-johannes-lind-widestam-on-indus#t=1168) Talent Acquisition and Supplier Relationships
- [23:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-07-16-navigating-ems-trends-insights-from-note-abs-ceo-johannes-lind-widestam-on-indus#t=1401) Geopolitics, Regional Manufacturing, and Future Outlook

## Topics

- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- NOTE AB (company)
- Nokia (company)
- Ericsson (company)
- Arrow (company)
- Torsby (other)
- Pärnu (other)
- Lund (other)

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- [Is ARR a Myth?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/built-2-scale/2025-06-19-is-arr-a-myth) (Built 2 Scale)
- [A Look at the State of US Manufacturing Headed Into 2025 w/ Thom Walstrum](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-12-03-a-look-at-the-state-of-us-manufacturing-headed-into-2025-w-thom-walstrum) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Episode 29: The Myth of Semiconductor Industry Deglobization](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-08-15-episode-29-the-myth-of-semiconductor-industry-deglobization) (The Circuit)
- [BONUS: How is the Manufacturing Industry Doing Halfway through 2025? Recorded at Hexagon LIVE 2025](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-08-19-bonus-how-is-the-manufacturing-industry-doing-halfway-through-2025-recorded-at-h) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

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