# Vertical Integration as a Superpower with HANZA Founder & CEO Erik Stenfors

- Show: [EMS@C-LEVEL](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level)
- Published: 2026-04-22
- Length: 4m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-04-22-vertical-integration-as-a-superpower-with-hanza-founder-ceo-erik-stenfors

## Summary

Erik Stenfors, Founder and CEO of HANZA, explains the company's strategy of vertical integration within the electronics manufacturing services (EMS) industry to create a consolidated supply chain that behaves like a single factory. He details HANZA's three-axis framework of geography, technology, and capacity, outlining the transition from the 2025 phase focused on capacity to the 2028 phase focused on technology expansion. Stenfors shares that the model was inspired by his previous experience as an OEM purchaser frustrated by fragmented supplier networks, aiming to reduce delivery risk and fixed costs for clients.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-04-22-vertical-integration-as-a-superpower-with-hanza-founder-ceo-erik-stenfors#t=7) Introduction: Vertical Integration Philosophy
- [1:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-04-22-vertical-integration-as-a-superpower-with-hanza-founder-ceo-erik-stenfors#t=60) Origins: From OEM Purchaser to EMS Founder
- [2:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-04-22-vertical-integration-as-a-superpower-with-hanza-founder-ceo-erik-stenfors#t=126) Strategic Framework: Geography, Technology, and Capacity
- [3:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-04-22-vertical-integration-as-a-superpower-with-hanza-founder-ceo-erik-stenfors#t=199) Phase 2028: Expanding Technology Capabilities
- [4:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-04-22-vertical-integration-as-a-superpower-with-hanza-founder-ceo-erik-stenfors#t=244) Customer-Centric Consolidation and Conclusion

## Topics

- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- HANZA (company)
- Ericsson (company)
- Koh Young (company)
- Global Electronics Association (company)

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- [Automation, Machining, and a Coal Mine: What Vertical Integration Buys You | Ep. 51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-10-09-automation-machining-and-a-coal-mine-what-vertical-integration-buys-you-ep-51) (Lights Out)
- [Darragh Hudson | How to Set up A Manufacturing Supply Chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-11-18-darragh-hudson-how-to-set-up-a-manufacturing-supply-chain) (Being an Engineer)
- [What the U.S. Can Learn From the German Manufacturing Model w/ Jon DeSouza](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-06-11-what-the-u-s-can-learn-from-the-german-manufacturing-model-w-jon-desouza) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Episode 2: The Business of Going Vertical](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2022-12-28-episode-2-the-business-of-going-vertical) (The Circuit)

## Citing this page

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