Hardware Podcasts

Electronica 24: From Crisis Management to Strategic Efficiency, with Cofactr CEO Matthew Haber

EMS@C-LEVEL · 19 Dec 2024 · 8m

AI in practice: one real use of AI described

What this episode covers

Matthew Haber, co-founder and CEO of Cofactr, discusses the company's growth in inventory management solutions for the electronics manufacturing services (EMS) and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) sectors. He explains how the industry has shifted from crisis-driven shortage mitigation to strategic efficiency and resilience, leveraging AI to process complex supplier documents and suggest alternative parts. Haber emphasizes the necessity of high-accuracy, in-house AI models to handle sensitive aerospace and defense data, contrasting this with the limitations of commercial off-the-shelf solutions.

AI in practice

Where this conversation describes AI being used to build or deliver a product. Part of the AI in practice tracker.

Sourcing & supply chainCofactr AI

The AI provides alternative part suggestions and discovers substitutes, helping engineering and supply chain teams collaborate more efficiently and reducing email chains.

“the other bucket is around sort of alt suggestions , part discovery , things like that , which is more of the sort of engineering side of our solution , but again , really helping a lot of our missions around helping supply chain folks and engineering folks work together better…”

Matthew Haber · Hear it at 4:16

Most relevant to

companies scaling up

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Cofactr, IPC, Koh Young, Global Electronics Association

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • The Manufacturing Executive · 31m

    Using AI to Right-Size Inventory and Kill Shortages w/ Richard Lebovitz

    Richard Lebovitz, founder and chief strategy officer of LeanDNA, explains how manufacturers can reduce part shortages and optimize inventory by treating supply chain management like targeted marketing campaigns. He distinguishes between predictive AI, which forecasts trends, and prescriptive AI, which is harder to implement because it must provide explainable, believable actions to gain user trust. Lebovitz argues that the key to solving shortages is not just chasing missing parts, but clearly communicating to suppliers what is *not* needed to free up their capacity. He advises manufacturers to start with AI for explainability and data interpretation rather than letting it make autonomous decisions, ensuring the technology makes the work easier for human planners.

    Sourcing & supply chainAI & machine learning
    6 chapters

  • OnTrack · 39m

    Innovations in AI: Transforming the Electronics Industry

    Phil Marcoux, Advisor to the Printed Circuit Engineering Association (PCEA), discusses the transformative role of AI in the electronics industry, emphasizing that successful AI integration relies on high-quality, human-generated data and closed-loop feedback between manufacturing and design. He warns against the current 'AI bubble' where startups receive funding without defined products, drawing parallels to the dot-com era and the early adoption of Surface Mount Technology (SMT). Marcoux highlights specific applications such as component availability checks via tools like Wenovo and Circuit Mind, and the critical need for standardized communication protocols like IPC CFX to bridge the gap between design and production.

    AI & machine learningDesign for manufacturing & NPI
    7 chapters

  • EE Times Current · 21m

    Contract Manufacturing: Takin’ Care of Business

    Derek Kane, vice president of KMC Systems, discusses the strategic opening of a new innovation center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to support the medical electronics and life sciences industries. He explains how KMC’s 'campus-based' supply chain model and early supplier involvement helped mitigate semiconductor shortages and lead time issues during the pandemic. The conversation also covers KMC’s long product lifecycles, predictive maintenance capabilities derived from its defense background, and the integration of adjacent technologies from parent company Elbit Systems.

    Sourcing & supply chainManufacturing partners & offshoring
    6 chapters

  • OnTrack · 46m

    AI-Powered PCB Supply Chain Management with Luminovo's Timon Ruban

    Timon Ruban, founder and managing director of Luminovo, explains how his company uses AI to automate PCB supply chain management, quoting, and risk analysis for contract manufacturers and OEMs. He details the platform's ability to extract specifications from Gerber files to provide instant PCB pricing and discusses the shift from manual Excel-based workflows to strategic monitoring of component costs and lifecycle risks. Ruban also outlines the roadmap for integrating large language models to handle complex data ingestion, such as messy BOMs and PDF specifications, and future features like supplier relationship management.

    Sourcing & supply chainAI & machine learning
    8 chapters

  • Oxide and Friends · 1h 30m

    Scaling Manufacturing

    Bryan Cantrill and Adam Leventhal of Oxide Computer Company discuss scaling manufacturing with colleagues CJ Mendes, Kirstin Neira, Erik Anderson, Aaron Hartwig, and Doug Wibben. They detail the transition from low-rate NPI to volume production using contract manufacturer Benchmark Electronics, highlighting specific engineering solutions like the Medusa and Reverso test boards to address fragile high-speed cables and press-fit DDR sockets. The team emphasizes their strategic procurement approach, building deep relationships with suppliers like Semtech and Texas Instruments to secure supply during the AI-driven chip shortage, while navigating compliance and tariff challenges for global expansion.

    Manufacturing partners & offshoringDebugging & failure analysis
    8 chapters

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.