July, 2014
www.us-tech.com
Page 21 The World Cup of Electronics Manufacturing By Philip Stoten (@philipstoten) F
irst, apologies for the self-absorbed parallels between football and the electronics supply chain; I should confess that I love football, or
soccer as some of our international colleagues call it. So, to put things into context, I am writing
this before a ball has been kicked in anger. Sure the hype has begun and in Europe and I and my European friends are winding each other up on the potential of their national squads. By the time the cogs of the printing presses have turned I suspect we’ll be halfway through, my national side will be on their way home and most of my predictions will look pretty silly. Anyway, this isn’t about football, it’s about
electronics manufacturing and the supply chain that surrounds it. Who will be the big winners in the World Cup of Electron- ics Manufacturing, who are the sur- prise packages and who had so much potential but failed to deliver again?
Current Champion, China As holder China is in a great posi-
tion, and having so many more players than the other teams seem to be an al- most unfair advantage. Unlimited players and unlimited substitutions are quite a heady mix for the smaller nations that attempt to challenge them. The China team has also been under the same management for longer than almost any other team. This management stability has yielded dividends with strategic and steady team development, a great youth acad- emy program and an ability to plan for the long term and peak when their best performances are needed. Summary: An awesome defense
based on getting as many players as possible behind the ball and a fanati- cal desire to win at all costs.
Previous Champions, USA It is always hard to provide foot-
ball analogies where the USA is con- cerned; they have certainly taken their eye off the ball over the last few years, losing their ability to compete at the highest level. They remain a country full of hugely talented play- ers who seem to have preferred to ply their trade overseas, perhaps chasing the big dollars or the lure of attractive transfer fees, or even a larger fan base. They remain a hugely creative team, but many of the best coaches and former players are now training new, younger, more ambitious play-
ers elsewhere. Summary: Not the team they once were, but
many talented individuals that will light up the competition with their flair and innovation.
Over Performer, Germany Their ability to continuously reinvent their
style of play, their confidence, their determination, and their sense that they have the right to win are all things that mean Germany is always a threat in major competitions. They value their young tal- ent and nurture and encourage them, ensuring they continue to play rather than moving into management. And, perhaps most importantly, they always have a new idea. This year it’s a new
formation called ‘Industry 4.0’. Very few other na- tions know what it is or have any idea how to de- fend against it. The Germans will bring this for- mation to the world and the world better pay at- tention! They also have a real national pride in their team and the whole nation, from Angela Merkel, to the engineer on the factory floor, will get behind them. Summary: Never underestimate Germany as
a potential winner, they have a habit of getting the ball in the back of the net when it’s most important, and if it goes to penalties they know how to win!
At the top of their game, Poland Continued on page 23
Philip Stoten is an internation- ally recognized EMS industry expert. Known for his skills as an inter viewer, reporter and
panel moderator, Philip is a fea- tured multi-media contributor to U.S. Tech on a regular basis.
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