Answers to 10 questions that I’m frequently asked about electronics turnaround.

How on earth did you manage to turn around an EMS company in times like these?

You are very committed to promoting visibility in the electronics sector – how has that helped you with the consolidation?

What advice would you give to a private equity investor who has just acquired an EMS company?

1. How on earth did you manage to turn around an EMS company in times like these?

This question was recently put to me once again, with a touch of disbelief in the speaker’s voice.
After all, in the person’s circle, most companies are complaining about falling order volumes, a stagnant economy and rising energy costs.
There’s no sign of momentum or optimism.

So it seems surprising that a small, traditional EMS company has managed the turnaround and significantly increased its turnover for two years running.

Even though there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for EMS companies – here are the key factors that led to success:

Focus on our own core competencies and service portfolio
Differentiating our own USPs from the competition
A modern EMS strategy
Clear communication of expertise and USPs across all channels
European partners – especially hidden champions
Automation of quotation processes
Events, trade fairs and active engagement with the industry

But even with this roadmap, an EMS turnaround won’t be an overnight success.
It took six months of meticulous preparation, and the first signs of success emerged a further six months after implementation began.

Change is possible – because every crisis is an opportunity.

But it requires just as much patience as willingness to take a risk and the determination to break new ground….

As well as an intuitive understanding of the dynamics of the electronics industry

2. You are very committed to promoting visibility in the electronics sector – how has that helped your company with its consolidation?

Expertise and identifying your own USPs are important.
At the same time, they are only the beginning.

After all, even the most unique expertise is worthless if it remains unseen.

Our clients need to be able to recognise the added value of our services for themselves – whilst also distinguishing which EMS service provider is the right one for them.

That is why making our expertise visible was the logical next step – also to show our existing clients how we can support them beyond their usual orders.

Visibility has many facets. It is:

Analogue and digital.
Human and automated.
Website, LinkedIn and SEO.

But above all, it is about personal interaction – because if behind a compelling website lies a service provider lacking passion, the customer would rather do business with a partner they trust.

At the same time, European electronics manufacturers as a whole need to raise their profile in order to dispel the misconception that electronics are no longer manufactured in Europe at all – and to prevent the loss of first-time customers.

If we collaborate to raise our profile, more electronics production will remain in Europe and we will secure the future of our business hub.

3. What advice would you give to a private equity investor who has just acquired an EMS company?

the answer to this question is coming soon…