Electronica 24: Jeroen Tuik on Connect Group's Evolution, Brand Consolidation and Expansion

EMS@C-LEVEL · 18 Nov 2024 · 9m

What this episode covers

Jeroen Tuik, CEO of Connect Group, discusses the company's evolution from 1980s cable manufacturing to a global EMS powerhouse following the 2021 acquisition of iCore and subsequent rebranding. He explains how Connect Group is expanding its footprint with new facilities in Mexico and the US to provide agile, transparent supply chains for OEMs. Tuik highlights the critical role of data-driven decision-making and cloud integration in maintaining operational reliability and visibility post-pandemic.

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 23m

    CircuitHub, 12 Years Later with Andrew Seddon

    Andrew Seddon, founder and CEO of CircuitHub, explains how the company evolved from a failed EDA library startup into a vertically integrated, high-mix domestic electronics manufacturer. He details their ground-up rethink of assembly processes, inspired by semiconductor fabs, to handle 50,000+ part SKUs efficiently without forcing design standardization. Seddon discusses the operational challenges of attrition, the strategic shift toward on-demand small-batch production, and the impact of tariffs and reshoring trends on US manufacturing capacity.

  • How I Built This · 52m

    Belkin International: Chet Pipkin

    Chet Pipkin, founder of Belkin International, explains how he identified the gap in computer cables during the early PC boom and built the company from his parents' garage in the early 1980s. Pipkin details the operational challenges of scaling from handmade Frankenstein cables to a global manufacturing operation, including the pivotal decision to outsource production to Asia to compete on cost while maintaining US-based design. The episode covers Belkin's growth through the smartphone era, its strategic move to Compton, and its eventual acquisition by Foxconn subsidiary FIT for over $800 million.

  • OnTrack · 38m

    PCB Industry Evolution: From Mom & Pop Shops to Consolidation

    Dan Beaulieu, founder and president of DB Management Group, discusses the consolidation of the North American PCB manufacturing industry, noting a drop from 1,300 shops in 2005 to roughly 130 today, with 90 under $5 million in revenue. He highlights the rise of substrate fabrication as a key growth area, citing RemTech and Brian Bullier, and explores the potential for captive manufacturing models similar to those seen with Elon Musk’s Texas facility. Beaulieu also emphasizes that superior customer service and meaningful training are critical differentiators for surviving small shops in a consolidating market.

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 42m

    Buying a Manufacturing Company with No Experience featuring Everyday Technologies' Cody Lee

    Cody Lee, President and Owner of Everyday Technologies, explains his journey of acquiring the 100-year-old metal fabrication company in 2021 despite having no prior manufacturing experience. He details the critical decision to implement a Plex ERP system to replace antiquated processes, aiming to solve capacity planning issues and improve financial visibility. Lee also discusses the unexpected challenges of managing working capital and cash flow, as well as his strategic focus on revitalizing the brand and building a high-accountability workforce to scale the business.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 22m

    Moving Down The Stack with Scott Williams

    Scott Williams, founder of the Australian electronics consultancy Zentronics, discusses the technical and business realities of running a growing design firm. He details the company's shift toward integrating IoT platforms and managing complex supply chain issues, such as sourcing Hirose connectors for Raspberry Pi Compute Modules during shortages. Williams also shares insights on component selection strategies, the ethical implications of using expensive compute modules for simple tasks, and the critical importance of EMC design and testing in ensuring product compliance.

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.