EMS@C-LEVEL

Smart Systems Are the Key to Competitive Manufacturing in Today's Complex World

Philip Spagnoli Stoten

Manufacturing stands at a crossroads, caught between technological opportunity and geopolitical uncertainty. Speaking with Augusto Vilarinho Head of Global Sales at Critical Manufacturing at APEX 2025, we dive into how manufacturers are navigating today's complex landscape while preparing for tomorrow's challenges.

The contrast between European and American manufacturing approaches reveals fascinating insights. While European manufacturers demonstrate strong commitment to reshoring operations, their American counterparts show enthusiasm tempered with hesitation—waiting for tariff clarity before making major investments. This wait-and-see approach makes perfect sense when planning for sustainable growth amid shifting regulations.

At the heart of modern manufacturing excellence lies the crucial integration between physical equipment and intelligent systems. As Augusto explains, "It's a time long gone where buying a new machine delivered a nice throughput." Today's competitive edge comes from contextualizing manufacturing data across operations, from supply chain to production floor. Critical Manufacturing's platform excels here, connecting disparate systems to create a unified view that drives intelligent decision-making.

Perhaps most valuable is how advanced Manufacturing Execution Systems help navigate complex supply chain decisions. When choosing materials, the lowest purchase price rarely tells the full story. By capturing contextualized information about how different materials perform in specific machines under various conditions, manufacturers can make truly informed decisions that balance cost against efficiency and quality. This holistic approach transforms manufacturing from a collection of isolated processes into an integrated ecosystem optimized for excellence.

Listen and explore how data-driven manufacturing is revolutionizing production across industries, and why those embracing these systems today will lead tomorrow's manufacturing renaissance. How is your operation adapting to these new manufacturing realities?

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.