# European EMS & PCB Industries with Dieter Weiss: How to Survive and Thrive

- Show: [EMS@C-LEVEL](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level)
- Published: 2024-08-21
- Length: 27m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-08-21-european-ems-pcb-industries-with-dieter-weiss-how-to-survive-and-thrive

## Summary

Dieter Weiss of in4ma and Data4PCB explains that the European EMS market is in crisis due to an inventory bubble and OEM hoarding during 2022, not a genuine chip shortage, leading to a 12.4% revenue drop in H1 2024. He highlights that companies focusing on aerospace and defense are thriving, while 'me-too' EMS providers face closures, citing recent M&A activity like Lacon acquiring Montronik. Weiss also details the critical state of the European PCB industry, noting closures in Estonia, France, and the UK, and argues for strategic local production to ensure supply chain security and IP protection.

## Chapters

- [0:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-08-21-european-ems-pcb-industries-with-dieter-weiss-how-to-survive-and-thrive#t=8) Introduction: IPC Seminar in Gdansk and Agenda
- [0:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-08-21-european-ems-pcb-industries-with-dieter-weiss-how-to-survive-and-thrive#t=51) The Real Crisis: Inventory Bubble and OEM Hoarding
- [9:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-08-21-european-ems-pcb-industries-with-dieter-weiss-how-to-survive-and-thrive#t=583) Market Analysis: Aerospace/Defense Winners vs. Me-Too Losers
- [11:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-08-21-european-ems-pcb-industries-with-dieter-weiss-how-to-survive-and-thrive#t=664) Eastern vs. Western Europe EMS Landscape and M&A
- [17:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-08-21-european-ems-pcb-industries-with-dieter-weiss-how-to-survive-and-thrive#t=1031) European PCB Industry Crisis: Closures and Supply Chain Risk

## Topics

- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- in4ma (company)
- Data4PCB (company)
- IPC (company)
- Lacon (company)
- Montronik (company)
- Foxconn (company)
- Flex (company)
- Jabil (company)
- Videotone (company)
- Fieldtronic (company)
- Brandner PCB (company)
- Koh Young (company)
- Global Electronics Association (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)
- [eReaders, datasheets & board assembly - Yearly Yeasty Yapping](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-12-18-ereaders-datasheets-board-assembly-yearly-yeasty-yapping) (The Amp Hour)
- [Layout Review with Zachariah Peterson](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-03-11-layout-review-with-zachariah-peterson) (The Amp Hour)
- [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)
- [The Future of PCB Manufacturing: Tariffs, Supply Chains & More](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-04-18-the-future-of-pcb-manufacturing-tariffs-supply-chains-more) (OnTrack)

## Citing this page

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