As automotive OEMs intensify their commitments to carbon neutrality, ranging from Stellantis’ 20381 net-zero target to BYD’s full value chain neutrality by 20452, they are also embracing circularity through material reuse, recycling, and closed-loop systems. This aligns with the sustainability challenges faced in electronics manufacturing, where energy-intensive processes contribute significantly to industrial CO₂ emissions. By integrating advanced materials and process innovations, both sectors are converging on a shared goal: reducing carbon footprints while enhancing reliability and operational efficiency.

Global sourcing offers companies significant advantages—lower costs, access to specialized skills, and extended market reach. But those benefits come with critical responsibilities. Ensuring that suppliers meet legal, ethical, and environmental standards is no longer optional. It is a core business necessity. This is where supplier audits play a pivotal role.

Imagine crossing a highway blindfolded. You might make it across a few times, but if traffic builds, the odds catch up. In the EMS industry, ignoring AI feels much the same way. You can keep doing what worked in the past, but as the pace of change accelerates, standing still becomes the riskiest move of all. After hosting my first EMS leadership roundtable earlier this year, I found myself repeating a line that has since become a theme: “You need to get uncomfortable and start to understand this stuff, or it will run you over.”