# Markets, Mayhem and Manufacturing: Insights on the Future of Electronics Manufacturing in the America

- Show: [EMS@C-LEVEL](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level)
- Published: 2025-04-29
- Length: 16m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-04-29-markets-mayhem-and-manufacturing-insights-on-the-future-of-electronics-manufactu

## Summary

Joel Scutchfield, General Manager of Koh Young America, discusses how economic headwinds and tariff uncertainties are creating a divide in the electronics manufacturing industry, with some companies pausing investment while others expand capacity. He explains that the post-pandemic growth surge was an anomaly, establishing a 'new normal' where manufacturers must leverage AI to increase productivity without expanding their workforce. Scutchfield details Koh Young's progression from data collection to 'agentic' AI systems, specifically highlighting their KAP (Koh Young Auto-Programming) tool and KPO (Koh Young Process Optimization) tools that automate parameter adjustments for printers and mounters. The conversation emphasizes that trustworthy, high-volume 3D data is the critical foundation for these autonomous, self-correcting systems that reduce human intervention on the factory floor.

## Chapters

- [0:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-04-29-markets-mayhem-and-manufacturing-insights-on-the-future-of-electronics-manufactu#t=8) Introduction: Joel Scutchfield and APEX 2025 Context
- [1:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-04-29-markets-mayhem-and-manufacturing-insights-on-the-future-of-electronics-manufactu#t=94) Economic Headwinds, Tariffs, and Investment Strategies
- [4:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-04-29-markets-mayhem-and-manufacturing-insights-on-the-future-of-electronics-manufactu#t=278) The Post-Pandemic 'New Normal' and AI as Growth Fuel
- [6:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-04-29-markets-mayhem-and-manufacturing-insights-on-the-future-of-electronics-manufactu#t=397) KAP and KPO Tools: From Recommendations to Agentic AI
- [10:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-04-29-markets-mayhem-and-manufacturing-insights-on-the-future-of-electronics-manufactu#t=621) The Critical Role of Trustworthy 3D Data
- [13:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-04-29-markets-mayhem-and-manufacturing-insights-on-the-future-of-electronics-manufactu#t=820) Sustainability and Extending Machine Lifecycles via Software

## Topics

- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Koh Young (company)
- KAP (product)
- KPO (product)
- IBM (company)
- Watson (product)
- Google (company)
- Apple (company)

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- [276: 2026 Automation Industry Outlook, Live from the A3 Business Forum](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-02-24-276-2026-automation-industry-outlook-live-from-the-a3-business-forum) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
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## Citing this page

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