EMS & The Economist: Industrial Action, Election Inertia, Automation, Trends, & Global Supply Chains

How are EMS companies navigating the tumultuous world of electronics manufacturing and supply chain, as recent disruptions like port closures and hurricanes put the industry’s resilience to the test yet again. Join Philip Stoten’s guest Shawn DuBravac, IPC chief economist and futurist, as we tackle the resolutions of these challenges while dipping our toes in the ongoing debates surrounding automation and jobs.

Explore how disruptions coming this late in the year may impact the supply chain landscape, especially with businesses keen on avoiding surplus inventory. We also emphasize the pressing need to attract younger talent by updating traditional labor roles, ensuring a balanced approach to efficiency and job security.

Venture further into the economic trends, like IPC’s book-to-bill and in4ma’s half year report, impacting the manufacturing sector amid the slow growth of bookings and the looming U.S. election. Shawn and Philip dissect how interest rate expectations influence investment decisions, alongside assessing the potential headwinds for market expansion.

Shawn briefly comments on the presidential candidates’ strategies to enhance domestic manufacturing, including the decoupling from China and proposed tariffs and investment incentives. With insights from an international lens, we highlight the reliance on Mexico within the U.S. supply chain, bringing a comprehensive understanding of the interconnected global landscape. I also provide some insight from the EMS leaders I talked to at IPC EMS Seminar in Gdansk last month. L

ike every episode of EMS@C-Level, this one was sponsored by global inspection leader Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Adaptable Automation Specialist Launchpad.build (https://launchpad.build).