# The Advantages and Challenges of Manufacturing in China with Case Engelen of Titoma

- Show: [Predictable Designs Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast)
- Published: 2020-01-19
- Length: 49m
- Episode: 4
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-01-19-the-advantages-and-challenges-of-manufacturing-in-china-with-case-engelen-of-tit

## Summary

Case Engelen, founder of Titoma, a manufacturing and design firm in Taiwan, discusses the realities of bringing electronic hardware to market via Asian manufacturing. He explains why startups must optimize designs for specific factories rather than seeking a universal DFM, and highlights the critical importance of component availability, lead times, and leveraging local supplier ecosystems in China and Taiwan. Engelen also advises entrepreneurs to prioritize sales validation and realistic factory prioritization over pure engineering perfection.

## Chapters

- [0:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-01-19-the-advantages-and-challenges-of-manufacturing-in-china-with-case-engelen-of-tit#t=15) Introduction and Titoma's Origin
- [2:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-01-19-the-advantages-and-challenges-of-manufacturing-in-china-with-case-engelen-of-tit#t=178) The ODM Model and Factory Priorities
- [6:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-01-19-the-advantages-and-challenges-of-manufacturing-in-china-with-case-engelen-of-tit#t=406) Design for Manufacturing and Component Sourcing
- [15:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-01-19-the-advantages-and-challenges-of-manufacturing-in-china-with-case-engelen-of-tit#t=910) Lead Times and Component Availability
- [17:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-01-19-the-advantages-and-challenges-of-manufacturing-in-china-with-case-engelen-of-tit#t=1064) Choosing the Right Factory and Building Relationships
- [26:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-01-19-the-advantages-and-challenges-of-manufacturing-in-china-with-case-engelen-of-tit#t=1617) Marketing, Sales, and Market Validation
- [40:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-01-19-the-advantages-and-challenges-of-manufacturing-in-china-with-case-engelen-of-tit#t=2450) China vs. Taiwan Manufacturing Ecosystems

## Topics

- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Titoma (company)
- Nest (product)
- Apple (company)
- Digi-Key (company)
- STMicroelectronics (company)
- STM32 (chip)
- Flex (company)
- Jabil (company)
- Samsung (company)
- Foxconn (company)
- Kickstarter (company)
- Salesforce (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [EMS@C-LEVEL Season #2021 Episode #6 with Case Engelen, CEO of TITOMA](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2021-08-09-ems-c-level-season-2021-episode-6-with-case-engelen-ceo-of-titoma) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [An Interview with Zach Hoeken Smith - Creative China Commorant](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-11-12-an-interview-with-zach-hoeken-smith-creative-china-commorant) (The Amp Hour)
- [#023 - Developing consumer products with an all-in-one manufacturer in China that is just different, with Jacob Rothman of Platform88, China](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-04-26-023-developing-consumer-products-with-an-all-in-one-manufacturer-in-china-that-i) (The Hardware Entrepreneur)
- [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)
- [Ludibrious Luxating Layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-01-24-ludibrious-luxating-layout) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-01-19-the-advantages-and-challenges-of-manufacturing-in-china-with-case-engelen-of-tit. 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 Predictable Designs Podcast.