# Electronica 24: Kitron's Strategic Shifts Amidst Geopolitical and Economic Uncertainties

- Show: [EMS@C-LEVEL](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level)
- Published: 2024-11-21
- Length: 7m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-11-21-electronica-24-kitrons-strategic-shifts-amidst-geopolitical-and-economic-uncerta

## Summary

Peter Nilsson, CEO of Kitron, discusses the company's strategic shift toward the U.S. market in response to potential tariffs and geopolitical unrest, leveraging their existing 100,000 square foot facility in Costa Rica. He highlights the challenge of U.S. wage inflation versus the cost of tariffs, noting that a 10-15% tariff makes domestic production more viable. Nilsson also addresses inventory buildup in the green technology sector, predicting stability in 2025 driven by defense and medical devices, while emphasizing the need for cost control and AI integration to maintain competitiveness.

## Chapters

- [0:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-11-21-electronica-24-kitrons-strategic-shifts-amidst-geopolitical-and-economic-uncerta#t=14) Introduction: Peter Nilsson and Kitron's Geopolitical Strategy
- [0:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-11-21-electronica-24-kitrons-strategic-shifts-amidst-geopolitical-and-economic-uncerta#t=46) US Market Repositioning and Tariff Impact
- [2:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-11-21-electronica-24-kitrons-strategic-shifts-amidst-geopolitical-and-economic-uncerta#t=148) Existing Footprint in Costa Rica and Mexico Expansion
- [3:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-11-21-electronica-24-kitrons-strategic-shifts-amidst-geopolitical-and-economic-uncerta#t=228) Tariffs as Consumption Tax and Regionalization
- [4:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-11-21-electronica-24-kitrons-strategic-shifts-amidst-geopolitical-and-economic-uncerta#t=268) 2025 Market Outlook: Green Tech Inventory and Sector Stability
- [6:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-11-21-electronica-24-kitrons-strategic-shifts-amidst-geopolitical-and-economic-uncerta#t=361) Cost Control, AI, and Future Competitiveness

## Topics

- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Kitron (company)
- Rivian (company)
- Trump administration (other)
- GPV (company)
- Zonda (company)
- Koh Young (company)
- IPC (company)
- Global Electronics Association (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [124: Tariff Talk](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2025-05-08-124-tariff-talk) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [Jersey Jeff Jactitation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-02-07-jersey-jeff-jactitation) (The Amp Hour)
- [Building a U.S.-based supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-06-05-building-a-u-s-based-supply-chain) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Beware of the Overachievers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-08-07-beware-of-the-overachievers) (The Amp Hour)
- [A 2013 Recap - Year-end Yarn Yakking](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-12-31-a-2013-recap-year-end-yarn-yakking) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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