# From CES To Factory Floors: Robotics, Labor, And The New Supply Chain, with Shawn DuBravac

- Show: [EMS@C-LEVEL](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level)
- Published: 2026-03-19
- Length: 23m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-03-19-from-ces-to-factory-floors-robotics-labor-and-the-new-supply-chain-with-shawn-du

## Summary

Shawn DuBravac, Chief Economist at the Global Electronics Association, discusses the impact of AI on the electronics supply chain, noting how AI infrastructure crowds out investment in other sectors. He analyzes the robotics landscape, highlighting that while humanoid robots are gaining attention, practical deployment in manufacturing is still 36 to 48 months away, with immediate value found in automating repetitive tasks like palletizing. DuBravac also explains the K-shaped industrial economy, where AI and defense spending thrive while housing and construction struggle, and details how EMS providers are adapting to tariffs through supply chain agility and consolidation.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-03-19-from-ces-to-factory-floors-robotics-labor-and-the-new-supply-chain-with-shawn-du#t=7) Introduction: Shawn DuBravac and CES Takeaways
- [0:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-03-19-from-ces-to-factory-floors-robotics-labor-and-the-new-supply-chain-with-shawn-du#t=44) AI's Crowding Effect on Storage, Memory, and Semiconductors
- [3:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-03-19-from-ces-to-factory-floors-robotics-labor-and-the-new-supply-chain-with-shawn-du#t=181) The State of Robotics: Humanoids vs. Practical Automation
- [6:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-03-19-from-ces-to-factory-floors-robotics-labor-and-the-new-supply-chain-with-shawn-du#t=364) Labor Shortages and the Capital-Labor Ratio Shift
- [10:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-03-19-from-ces-to-factory-floors-robotics-labor-and-the-new-supply-chain-with-shawn-du#t=653) Global Manufacturing Trends: China, Southeast Asia, and Europe
- [13:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-03-19-from-ces-to-factory-floors-robotics-labor-and-the-new-supply-chain-with-shawn-du#t=836) Tariffs as Cadence and Supply Chain Agility
- [17:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-03-19-from-ces-to-factory-floors-robotics-labor-and-the-new-supply-chain-with-shawn-du#t=1046) M&A Activity and Consolidation in the EMS Sector
- [19:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-03-19-from-ces-to-factory-floors-robotics-labor-and-the-new-supply-chain-with-shawn-du#t=1184) The Global Electronics Association's Real-Time Data Strategy

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Global Electronics Association (company)
- CES (other)
- Waymo (company)
- Taiwan Semiconductor (company)
- NVIDIA (company)
- Tesla (company)
- Agility Robotics (company)
- Bosch (company)
- Koh Young (company)
- Device (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [The Hard Truths About Reshoring American Manufacturing w/ Eddy Azad](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-04-21-the-hard-truths-about-reshoring-american-manufacturing-w-eddy-azad) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Lowering the Barrier to Robot Deployment](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-09-27-lowering-the-barrier-to-robot-deployment) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [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)
- [Navigating Robotics Through the Political Landscape](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-10-11-navigating-robotics-through-the-political-landscape) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [OnTrack PCB Design Podcast 2025 Year in Review](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-12-30-ontrack-pcb-design-podcast-2025-year-in-review) (OnTrack)

## Citing this page

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