MADE IN EUROPE: GPV's Bo Lybaek and Zollner's Markus Aschenbrenner (recorded April 8th, 2025)

NOTE: This show was recorded on April 8th, days after President Trump's "Liberation Day" Tariffs had been announced, but before a 90 day pause was applied to those same reciprocal tariffs, apart from those on China. The comments and opinions reflect this point in time.Sweeping tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical tensions have manufacturers worldwide questioning their next move. What happens when no one can predict tomorrow's trade landscape? In this premiere episode of MADE IN EUROPE, an IPC Podcast, host Philip Stoten dives deep with Bo Lybaek of GPV Group A/S and Markus Aschenbrenner of Zollner Elektronik AG into the challenges facing EMS companies and their customers as they navigate the unpredictable waters of global trade tensions. Far from just reacting to headlines, these industry leaders reveal their strategic approaches to uncertainty."Most important thing is to stay calm, follow what is happening, and be agile when needed," shares Bo Lybaek, capturing the measured response many manufacturers are taking while awaiting clarity. Yet beneath this wait-and-see approach lies sophisticated preparation – from comprehensive supply chain data modeling to strategic global footprint development that has been years in the making and continues to be an imperative.The conversation reveals how current disruptions are accelerating an existing trend toward "region for region" manufacturing – a localized approach that provides greater resilience against cross-border complications. Both Bo and Markus offer fascinating insights into how they've built truly global operations that maintain agility through shared equipment platforms, standardized processes, and most importantly, consistent corporate culture.Perhaps most compelling is their perspective on Europe's position in this changing landscape. As Markus Aschenbrenner notes, "We need a strong European Union with real value for others to negotiate with." This includes not just the recently announced infrastructure investments, but critically, reducing bureaucracy that hinders competitiveness.Join us for this thought-provoking discussion that goes beyond tariff headlines to explore how leading manufacturers are building resilience in uncertain times. Subscribe to MADE IN EUROPE now to hear more insights from European manufacturing leaders in future episodes.MADE IN EUROPE is a Global Electronics Association podcast hosted by Philip Stoten and produced and published by SCOOP. For more information on Global Electronics Association visit https://www.electronics.org/