EMS@C-LEVEL · 7 Jul 2026 · 16m
Nick Wasserman, CEO of PTG Electronics (formerly Pinnacle Technology Group), explains how the 40-year-old Southeast Michigan EMS provider rebranded to clarify its focus on low-volume, high-mix, mid-complexity manufacturing. He details the strategic value of their recent AS9100 aerospace certification and the surge in drone hardware inquiries from startups needing design-for-manufacturability support. Wasserman also discusses how AI-driven quoting tools and prototype bots are accelerating speed-to-quote, while addressing supply chain turbulence including memory constraints and emerging FR4 laminate issues.
Where this conversation describes AI being used to build or deliver a product. Part of the AI in practice tracker.
Running the companynew quoting tool that is optimizing AI
An AI-optimized quoting tool was adopted to significantly accelerate the process of generating quotes for potential customers.
“we've got um we've been recently engaged with uh new quoting tool that is optimizing AI to do that process significantly faster than we used to.”
Nick Wasserman, President & CEO of PTG Electronics · Hear it at 6:19
Running the companyprototype botlead time gets started much quicker
A prototype bot was implemented to automatically process customer documentation, align it, assign part numbers, and initiate purchasing upon receiving a purchase order.
“once we receive a PO, we've got a it's a prototype bot now that will actually process um all of the customer documentation and it will align it, assign part numbers, and get that whole purchasing, and then um, you know, the the lead time gets started much quicker than it would have historically.”
Nick Wasserman, President & CEO of PTG Electronics · Hear it at 6:19
companies scaling up
Other shows on the same ground, closest first.
Jay Patel, CEO of Amtech, an EMS provider in Michigan, discusses the transition from prototyping to volume production, emphasizing the critical role of supply chain risk analysis and the shift of component manufacturers like Texas Instruments selling directly to OEMs. He highlights Amtech's use of vapor phase reflow and AI-based inspection to ensure quality in high-mix, mid-volume production, while explaining how Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) rules help reduce costs and defects. Patel also addresses the industry's lack of standardized data formats, advocating for the adoption of IPC-2581 to streamline communication between designers, EMS providers, and PCB fabricators.
Chris Denney, CTO at Worthington Assembly, discusses the complexities of small-volume PCB assembly, contrasting the 'one to 100 piece' prototype range with the new challenges of scaling to 10,000-piece monthly orders. He explains that while pick-and-place machines are incredibly fast, the real difficulty lies in parts management, moisture sensitivity, and avoiding common design mistakes like using non-manufacturable boards from services like OSH Park. Denney also highlights his partnership with CircuitHub, which uses software to generate instant quotes for low-volume work, allowing Worthington to focus on higher-volume production runs.
Andrew Seddon, founder and CEO of CircuitHub, explains how the company evolved from a failed EDA library startup into a vertically integrated, high-mix domestic electronics manufacturer. He details their ground-up rethink of assembly processes, inspired by semiconductor fabs, to handle 50,000+ part SKUs efficiently without forcing design standardization. Seddon discusses the operational challenges of attrition, the strategic shift toward on-demand small-batch production, and the impact of tariffs and reshoring trends on US manufacturing capacity.
Dylan Lundberg, Manufacturing and R&D Engineering Manager at Protolabs, explains how the company reinvents manufacturing through automation, software, and standardized processes to deliver prototypes and low-volume production parts via 3D printing, CNC machining, and injection molding. He details the company's evolution from a garage startup by Larry Lucas into a global enterprise with nearly 3,000 employees, highlighting the strategic acquisition of Hubs to expand their service offerings. Lundberg discusses the operational challenges of maintaining speed and quality at scale, including limitations in handling super-tight tolerances or highly unique geometries, and outlines Protolabs' future focus on expanding into high-volume production capabilities.
Bart van der Schuren, CTO of Materialise, explains how the company transitioned from a 1995 service bureau to a production powerhouse, recently surpassing prototyping with serial manufacturing. He details the three pillars of Materialise—manufacturing, software, and medical applications—and highlights rapid adoption in hearing aids, dental, and drones, contrasted with the slow, recertification-heavy aerospace sector. Van der Schuren argues that AI-driven automation and in-situ quality control are critical for reducing New Product Introduction (NPI) costs and scaling production in regulated industries.
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