EMS@C-LEVEL
As Forbes, Entrepreneur, Fast Company and SCOOP writer, Philip Stoten, continues to talk to EMS (Electronic Manufacturing Services) executives he learns more about their individual and collective experiences and their expectations for their own businesses and for the entire electronic manufacturing industry.
EMS@C-LEVEL
From Acquisition to Achievement: The InCap US Manufacturing Journey with MD Dave Spehar
Manufacturing landscapes are constantly evolving, and few understand this better than Dave Spehar, Managing Director of InCap's US operation. Speaking from the Creative Electron booth at APEX 2025, Dave offers a candid look at the post-acquisition journey since July 2023 that has propelled their business to record performance.
Cultural alignment emerges as the cornerstone of their successful integration. "We had a very good match with the InCap culture, where it's more of an entrepreneurial spirit within the company," Dave explains. This compatibility has allowed them to maintain their operational identity while leveraging the resources of a global organization. From enhanced purchasing power to IT infrastructure support, the benefits of joining a larger family have been substantial without sacrificing the core values that made them successful.
Timing couldn't have been better for this strategic move. With increasing tariff uncertainties and market volatility, having US-based manufacturing capabilities has become a competitive advantage. Their specialization in industrial applications, gas detection systems, and IoT devices continues to see robust demand. Meanwhile, the talent challenge looms large across manufacturing – something Dave addresses through a dual approach of strategic automation and positioning as an employer of choice. "We want to get more efficient with some automation... but at the end of the day, we've still got to rely on that talent," he notes.
Perhaps most telling is the accelerated investment trajectory since the acquisition. Dave reveals they've invested more in the past year than in the previous five years combined, with another significant investment year ahead. This focus on maintaining state-of-the-art facilities and technologies positions them to exceed customer expectations in the challenging high-mix, low-volume manufacturing space.
EMS@C-Level Live at APEX is sponsored by global inspection leaders Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Creative Electron (https://creativeelectron.com)
EMS@C-Level is sponsored by global inspection leaders Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Creative Electron (https://creativeelectron.com)
You can see video versions of all of the EMS@C-Level pods on our YouTube playlist.