I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois-Chicago and a Masters degree in International Finance from Roosevelt University. I have worked in the Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) industry for over 25 years starting from an operator up to President. I am an avid golfer and sailor. I am participating in my first triathlon in June of 2011 in preparation for the Chicago Triathlon in August.
My thoughts on ...
What I think about Foxconn
I have no personal experience with Foxconn other than what I read in publications. They are the largest EMS prvider world wide and are presented as very impersonal.
EMS companies I have worked with
I have worked with Lodan, Circuit Services, Flextronics and Jabil. In all cases we've worked as supplier to them.
The skills I often see lacking in the EMS industry today
There appears to be no specific industry training in the High Schools or Colleges for the EMS industry. You see very few U.S. students with the desire to work from the operator level up to a management level. I don't believe this is specific to the EMS industry as I hear this from other industry executives also.
What I think about some of the emerging EMS markets or regions
The solar market is interesting but you must be a large EMS provider as setting up a solar line is in excess of $10,000,000.00 from what I have been told.
What I think about low-cost manufacturing
Low-cost manufacturing will be an evolution from region to region. As many US OEM's look to pull product back from Asia, they are still not willing to move higher volume back to the US. Theya re now looking at other regions such as Brazil because of ease of doing business.
A book I recommend to others or am currently reading
The book I would recommend is "the world is flat 3.0" by Thomas L Friedman
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