# MADE IN EUROPE #2: Scandinavian EMS Exceptionalism with Kitron's Peter Nilsson and NOTE's Johannes Lind-Widestam

- Show: [EMS@C-LEVEL](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level)
- Published: 2025-04-16
- Length: 31m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-04-16-made-in-europe-2-scandinavian-ems-exceptionalism-with-kitrons-peter-nilsson-and

## Summary

NOTE CEO Johannes Lind-Widestam and Kitron CEO Peter Nilsson discuss the impact of geopolitical tensions and tariffs on European EMS, noting that while US customers are concerned, Northern European manufacturing often remains cost-competitive even with tariffs. They analyze the 'Scandinavian EMS Exceptionalism,' attributing it to a heritage from telecom giants like Ericsson and Nokia, a culture of openness, and high-skilled operators who function as engineers. The leaders explain why complete supply chain localization is impractical due to the specialized nature of components like PCBs and passives, which remain concentrated in China.

## Chapters

- [0:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-04-16-made-in-europe-2-scandinavian-ems-exceptionalism-with-kitrons-peter-nilsson-and#t=3) Introduction and Tariff Impact
- [1:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-04-16-made-in-europe-2-scandinavian-ems-exceptionalism-with-kitrons-peter-nilsson-and#t=61) Supply Chain Localization and Tariff Economics
- [7:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-04-16-made-in-europe-2-scandinavian-ems-exceptionalism-with-kitrons-peter-nilsson-and#t=435) Regionalization and China-for-China Strategy
- [14:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-04-16-made-in-europe-2-scandinavian-ems-exceptionalism-with-kitrons-peter-nilsson-and#t=868) EU Agility vs. Nordic Alignment
- [18:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-04-16-made-in-europe-2-scandinavian-ems-exceptionalism-with-kitrons-peter-nilsson-and#t=1091) The Roots of Scandinavian EMS Success
- [24:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-04-16-made-in-europe-2-scandinavian-ems-exceptionalism-with-kitrons-peter-nilsson-and#t=1471) Cultural Factors and Leadership

## Topics

- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Kitron (company)
- NOTE (company)
- Ericsson (company)
- Nokia (company)
- Koh Young (company)
- Global Electronics Association (company)
- IPC (company)
- Scoop Communications (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [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)
- [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 Episode: Resilient Supply Chains for Robotics (ERF 2026)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-06-01-bonus-episode-resilient-supply-chains-for-robotics-erf-2026) (Robot Talk)
- [Beware of the Overachievers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-08-07-beware-of-the-overachievers) (The Amp Hour)
- [The Advantages and Challenges of Manufacturing in China with Case Engelen of Titoma](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-01-19-the-advantages-and-challenges-of-manufacturing-in-china-with-case-engelen-of-tit) (Predictable Designs Podcast)

## Citing this page

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