KATEK expected to reach its first milestone in five years — it took less than three. In the third video in this series, KATEK CEO Ranier Koppitz explains the reason for speed and the next steps in KATEK’s evolution. The EMS provider’s initial strategy was to reach sales of more than $500 million to ensure…
Unsafe drinking water is a serious global problem, especially in developing countries where it is estimated that 9,000 people die every day as a result of unsanitary drinking water. New Life International had to redesign its water purifier due to supply chain disruption. For more than two decades, New Life Intl. has been on a…
Counterfeits in the supply chain is a universal problem, but it is particularly acute in the electronics industry. Counterfeit electronics cost manufacturers an estimated $250 billion each year, and that doesn’t include the cost of faulty consumer electronics or catastrophes such as fires and failed equipment due to phony electronic components. Counterfeit computer chips alone…
Editor’s note: In the first part of the series, the CEO of EMS KATEK Group discussed the genesis of the group that’s now one of the six largest electronics manufacturing services providers in Europe. Rainer Koppitz, KATEK’s CEO, along with the team at PrimePulse, were aware of the need for both speed and scale when…
U.S. manufacturing activity slowed in October as record-long materials lead times, shipping bottlenecks and component shortages took their toll on factories. The Institute for Supply Management’s PMI dipped 0.3 percent to 60.8. last month although long-term demand signals remain robust. “New order levels remain expansive and low-customer inventories are positive for future production,” said Tim…
Supply chain disruptions have widespread ripple effects in many industries, but in healthcare they can be critical. Shortages, delays, and other unforeseen events in medical supply chains can result in patients not having the medication they need or insufficiently equipped hospitals. Such disruptions are a problem in any sector, but in medicine, it can be…
As artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities mature, an increasing number of businesses are investing in AI initiatives and leveraging automation in their daily business operations. This once leading-edge technology is becoming more ubiquitous and is quickly becoming an imperative to long-term success. In fact, analysts project the global AI market to grow from $47.5 billion in…
High-quality, highly reliable electronic products are realized through many devices and services coming together consistently and efficiently. One item is components; the individual parts that, together, comprise a bill of materials (BOM). Ideally, a BOM would be frozen once the engineering and purchasing departments have agreed on the parts and suppliers, respectively, needed to build…
Trade wars, tariffs and geopolitical concerns have spurred global electronics manufacturers to reassess their strategies regarding China. But rather than abandon the nation entirely, China Plus One is taking hold as a way to diversify supply chain risks. “Trade dynamics with China have changed,” said Vipul Kumar, manager, procurement and supply chain intelligence for business…
Some of 2020’s challenges were keenly felt throughout supply chains, and many could result in lasting changes to workflows and processes. Reducing uncertainties while boosting efficiency and shrinking turnaround times requires a set of modern supply chain and logistics tools. That means leveraging automation. Recent events helped drive home the need for a more resilient…