# How EMS Can Scale Defense Production Faster, with Kitron's CEO Peter Nilsson

- Show: [EMS@C-LEVEL](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level)
- Published: 2026-05-01
- Length: 12m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-05-01-how-ems-can-scale-defense-production-faster-with-kitrons-ceo-peter-nilsson

## Summary

Peter Nilsson, CEO of Kitron Group, explains how the company scaled defense electronics revenue from roughly 44 million to nearly 140 million euros by serving both legacy primes and agile defense tech startups. He details the operational challenges of rapid ramp-ups, including component decommitments from distributors, and the solution of using AI agents within ERP systems to automate supply chain planning. Nilsson also discusses the strategic integration of the Delta Nordic acquisition, the shift toward organic growth mixed with targeted M&A, and broader demand drivers in AI data centers and industrial IoT.

## Chapters

- [0:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-05-01-how-ems-can-scale-defense-production-faster-with-kitrons-ceo-peter-nilsson#t=8) Introduction: Peter Nilsson and Kitron's Defense Revenue Surge
- [1:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-05-01-how-ems-can-scale-defense-production-faster-with-kitrons-ceo-peter-nilsson#t=67) Defense Primes vs. Defense Tech: Ramp-up Speeds and Agility
- [3:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-05-01-how-ems-can-scale-defense-production-faster-with-kitrons-ceo-peter-nilsson#t=215) Supply Chain Constraints and Distributor Decomproments
- [4:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-05-01-how-ems-can-scale-defense-production-faster-with-kitrons-ceo-peter-nilsson#t=284) AI Agents in ERP for Automated Recommit and Replanning
- [5:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-05-01-how-ems-can-scale-defense-production-faster-with-kitrons-ceo-peter-nilsson#t=320) Major Contracts: Defense Architecture and Tactical Communications
- [6:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-05-01-how-ems-can-scale-defense-production-faster-with-kitrons-ceo-peter-nilsson#t=417) Delta Nordic Acquisition: Talent, Facility, and Satellite Operations
- [9:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-05-01-how-ems-can-scale-defense-production-faster-with-kitrons-ceo-peter-nilsson#t=544) Broader Growth Drivers: AI, Data Centers, and Industrial IoT
- [10:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-05-01-how-ems-can-scale-defense-production-faster-with-kitrons-ceo-peter-nilsson#t=628) M&A Strategy: Organic Growth, Integration, and Brand Standards

## Topics

- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Kitron Group (company)
- Delta Nordic (company)
- Keytron Ltech (company)
- Defense Architecture (company)
- Koh Young (company)

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- [Contract Manufacturing: Takin’ Care of Business](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2022-01-28-contract-manufacturing-takin-care-of-business) (EE Times Current)
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- [251. Michael Corr & Justin Sears on How Altium & Duro Are Fueling the Next Generation of Hardware Startups](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-09-28-251-michael-corr-justin-sears-on-how-altium-duro-are-fueling-the-next-generation) (The Next Byte Podcast)

## Citing this page

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