# The STI Acquisition Repositions NOTE For Long-Term Defense Programs, with NOTE CEO Johannes Lind-Widestam

- Show: [EMS@C-LEVEL](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level)
- Published: 2026-05-17
- Length: 18m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-05-17-the-sti-acquisition-repositions-note-for-long-term-defense-programs-with-note-ce

## Summary

Johannes Lind-Widestam, CEO of NOTE, discusses the strategic acquisition of STI, which adds three specialized UK sites (including former Chief of Air Staff Sir Michael Wigston on the board) to strengthen NOTE's position in defense manufacturing. He outlines a diversified sector outlook, highlighting strong growth in security, defense, and industrial, while noting softer performance in medtech and fluctuating green tech. Lind-Widestam also addresses supply chain headwinds, including memory constraints and AI-driven foundry pressure, and details NOTE's regional strategy of balancing organic growth with disciplined M&A to achieve 10-15% annual growth beyond 2026.

## Chapters

- [0:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-05-17-the-sti-acquisition-repositions-note-for-long-term-defense-programs-with-note-ce#t=4) Introduction: Johannes Lind-Widestam and the STI Acquisition
- [1:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-05-17-the-sti-acquisition-repositions-note-for-long-term-defense-programs-with-note-ce#t=104) NOTE's UK Footprint: Six Sites and Geographic Coverage
- [3:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-05-17-the-sti-acquisition-repositions-note-for-long-term-defense-programs-with-note-ce#t=183) Board Strategy: Adding Sir Michael Wigston and EMS Expertise
- [6:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-05-17-the-sti-acquisition-repositions-note-for-long-term-defense-programs-with-note-ce#t=370) Sector Outlook: Defense, Industrial, Medtech, and Green Tech
- [9:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-05-17-the-sti-acquisition-repositions-note-for-long-term-defense-programs-with-note-ce#t=554) Supply Chain Risks: Memory, AI, PCB Allocations, and Geopolitics
- [11:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-05-17-the-sti-acquisition-repositions-note-for-long-term-defense-programs-with-note-ce#t=670) Regional Performance: China's Challenges and European Recovery
- [13:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-05-17-the-sti-acquisition-repositions-note-for-long-term-defense-programs-with-note-ce#t=818) Future Growth: Organic Targets, M&A Strategy, and 2026 Outlook

## Topics

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

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- NOTE (company)
- STI (company)
- Kaston (company)
- SOWF (other)
- Kitron (company)
- Hansa (company)
- Delta Nordics (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Seismology 1: Nvidia & Arm | Seismology 2: US IC Manufacturing on the Rebound](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2020-08-07-seismology-1-nvidia-arm-seismology-2-us-ic-manufacturing-on-the-rebound) (EE Times Current)
- [Steve Sanghi - Microchip CEO for 31 Years!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-05-15-steve-sanghi-microchip-ceo-for-31-years) (The Amp Hour)
- [271: Preparing Manufacturers for the Semiconductor Boom: Insights from SEMICON West and Beyond](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-01-20-271-preparing-manufacturers-for-the-semiconductor-boom-insights-from-semicon-wes) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [245: A Grassroots Approach to Shaping the Future of American Industry with Bret Boyd, CEO of Sustainment](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-07-08-245-a-grassroots-approach-to-shaping-the-future-of-american-industry-with-bret-b) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-05-17-the-sti-acquisition-repositions-note-for-long-term-defense-programs-with-note-ce. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to EMS@C-LEVEL.