Acquiring components in the electronics industry is a complex task for the procurement and sourcing teams. They must stay updated with industry changes, technology advancements, current trends, and new regulations in the automotive sector. Also, managing costs while maintaining the quality of electronic parts is a serious challenge.
Today, we have Klaus Wandler, the VP of Strategic Procurement at APAGCoSyst, who talks to us about the challenges and disruptions in the supply chain, and other key changes affecting the procurement and sourcing departments in the automotive industry. Let us explore what lies ahead and how to overcome procurement challenges in the electronics manufacturing industry.
Thank you for your time, Klaus. Shall we start with you telling us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Klaus Wandler, and I head the strategic procurement function for APAGCoSyst. I have just completed my 40th year in the industry and I have worked mostly with automotive companies. One of the most impactful experiences in my career was my time with Faurecia, now called Forvia, where I worked for seven years. This was a great opportunity for me as I was exposed to many different functions of business, including logistics, and supply chain. This experience helped me understand the lifecycle of materials in each of its stages until it reaches the customer.
Electronic component and services sales in the automotive industry is a complex task for the Sales Development and Customer Account teams. They must stay updated with industry changes, technology advancements, current trends, and new regulations in the automotive sector. Also, managing relationships (both internal and external) while driving for both scale and revenue growth is a consistent challenge.
Today, we have Dan McGregor, the VP of Global Sales at APAGCoSyst, who talks to us about the challenges and ever-changing circumstances in sales support, and other key changes affecting customer expectations and demands in the automotive industry. Let us explore what lies ahead and how to address and satisfy customer needs in the automotive industry.
At APAGCoSyst, innovation drives everything we do. Our Research and Development (R&D) division serves as the backbone of our commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions in the automotive, medical, and industrial sectors. With R&D centers strategically located in Canada, Germany, and India, we leverage global expertise to develop advanced electronic systems tailored to the needs of a rapidly evolving world.
APAGCoSyst at electronica 2024: Explore Our Custom and Innovative Electronic Solutions
Get ready to discover the future of electronics with APAGCoSyst at electronica 2024! From November 12-15, join us in Hall B1, Booth 371 at the Trade Fair Centre Messe in Munich to discover groundbreaking technologies that are reshaping industries worldwide. As an innovator in electronic manufacturing, APAGCoSyst is committed to delivering more than standard solutions; our dedicated R&D team and in-house automation experts work closely with our clients to develop customized, high-quality products that meet unique project needs with precision and efficiency.
APAGCoSyst: Tailored Solutions with In-House Expertise
What sets APAGCoSyst apart is our ability to deliver end-to-end solutions—from initial concept design to full-scale production. Our R&D team works closely with customers to design products from scratch, ensuring they are tailored to specific project requirements. Whether it’s ECUs, lighting technologies, or custom electronic systems, we bring innovation and precision to every step of development.
But that’s not all. Our in-house automation team designs and builds custom production lines, optimizing our manufacturing processes for higher quality output and increased efficiency. This unique capability allows us to streamline production, maintain stringent quality control, and deliver products that exceed customer expectations.
What to Expect at APAGCoSyst Booth 371 at electronica 2024
Custom Electronic Products Designed for You
Our R&D team will be on hand to showcase how we can design custom electronic products from scratch, tailored specifically to your project’s needs. Whether you’re working on an automotiveproject, an industrial system, or a consumer electronics application, we can develop the perfect solution to meet your unique challenges.
In-House Automation Expertise
Our automation team has the capability to design and produce highly efficient, custom-built production lines. This ensures that our manufacturing processes are optimized for speed, efficiency, and quality control. By managing automation in-house, we maintain control over the entire production cycle, leading to faster turnarounds and higher-quality results.
Cutting-Edge Technology
Discover the latest in ECU, lighting, and EMS solutions through our on-site product displays. Our on-site displays will showcase the innovation, quality, and precision behind our R&D expertise and advanced manufacturing technologies.
Personalized Consultations with Our Global Experts
Connect with our global team of experts—R&D specialists, automation engineers, and top management—to discuss your specific project needs. Whether you require custom electronic control units (ECUs), high-performance lighting systems, or advanced electronics manufacturing services, we have the resources and knowledge to deliver solutions that are exactly right for you.
Virtual Reality Tour of Our Production Facility
Step into our state-of-the-art production plant through a virtual reality experience. See how our combination of custom automation and rigorous quality control allows us to produce top-tier electronics at scale. This immersive tour will give you a glimpse of the processes that ensure superior quality and efficiency in every product we manufacture.
Why APAGCoSyst is the Right Partner for Your Electronics Project
At APAGCoSyst, we are more than a supplier—we are your innovation partner. Our comprehensive service offering, from custom product design to in-house automation, allows us to deliver high-quality, scalable solutions for every stage of your project. With a focus on cost-efficiency, quality control, and quick turnarounds, we tailor each solution to meet your unique requirements.
Don’t Miss Out—Secure Your Free Ticket to electronica 2024
If you haven’t registered yet, we’ve got you covered! We’re offering a limited number of free one-day passes for electronica 2024. Reach out to us today to reserve your ticket and explore how APAGCoSyst can bring your project to life with our customized electronic solutions and advanced manufacturing capabilities.
Schedule a One-on-One Meeting with Our Experts
Are you ready to discuss your upcoming project in more detail? Schedule a private meeting with one of our specialists at electronica 2024 to dive deeper into how we can support your needs with tailored product designs, in-house automation, and high-quality electronic manufacturing services. You can also visit our booth at any time between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM during the event.
Visit APAGCoSyst at Hall B1, Booth 371—electronica 2024
Make sure to visit APAGCoSyst at Hall B1, Booth 371 at electronica 2024 to see how we’re pushing the boundaries of electronic manufacturing. With our custom design capabilities, in-house automation expertise, and a commitment to delivering high-quality solutions, we’re ready to help you achieve your project goals.
For more information on APAGCoSyst’s custom product development, automation services, or to book a meeting, contact us today. We look forward to seeing you in Munich!
APAGCoSyst prides itself on delivering top-notch industrial automation solutions to meet the diverse needs of our clients. Since its inception in 2018, our Industrial Automation team has been at the forefront of designing and producing customized assembly lines. These automated lines play a crucial role in achieving high-volume production for APAGCoSyst’s electronics projects.
Combining Design and Production Expertise
Our industry automation team relies on close collaboration. Our production lines are strategically designed and manufactured in partnership with our facilities in Windsor, Canada, and Pardubice, Czech Republic. Our Industrial Automation team is divided between two primary locations: the APAG development center in Nürnberg, Germany, and an independent manufacturing facility located in Pilsen, Czech Republic. Additionally, we have another dedicated team stationed directly at our Canadian plant.
The synergy between our automation and product development teams is crucial. By joining forces with the product design team, our automation heroes manage to prepare the production and automation concepts right from the early stages of product design. This ensures a smooth industrialization process and the subsequent production of our products. From concept to manufacturing, our Industrial Automation specialists have you covered.
Tailored Automation Solutions
At the heart of APAG’s Industrial Automation expertise lies the know-how to craft tailor-made automation solutions for a variety of clients and needs. Our Industrial Automation team specializes in the design and implementation of complex components and custom assemblies, all produced within our facility. With a focus on delivering the highest quality, we have comprehensive testing capabilities in place to verify the functionality and quality of every part produced on our lines.
To ensure our processes adhere to the highest industry standards, our development process is certified according to Automotive IATF requirements. This certification guarantees that we meet and exceed our customers’ expectations, no matter how stringent their demands may be.
Covering the Full Spectrum of Manufacturing Excellence
The expertise of our automation department supervises the entire production process, from its inception to the final packaging design. By handling a variety of processes within the manufacturing value chain, we provide comprehensive solutions for our clients.
The full-scale competencies can be seen in the video below where the Vice President of the automation team, Arnaud Richard demonstrates the details of our recent project. A fully functional assembly line, ready to be shipped to our production plant in Canada, is designed specifically to produce electronic parts for interior illumination in vehicles.
Our automation team’s mastery is spread out through a gamut of processes and techniques, from the precision of laser cutting and the finesse of pick & place to the depth of 2D and 3D optical inspections and the scrutiny of in-circuit and functional testing. Finally, at the end of the line, we also take care of the labelling and packaging of products.
Over the years, we have mastered the art of robot soldering, laser soldering, heat staking, plasma activation, and curing processes. Our diverse skill set allows us to handle a wide range of automation requirements and cater to various industries.
Let Us Bring Your Product to Life
No matter the nature of your product, we are eager to assist you with its development and production. We go above and beyond in expanding our knowledge and capabilities to remain at the forefront of industrial automation technologies. APAGCoSyst is looking forward to bringing your ideas to life.
All you have to do is contact our Industrial Automation team today and we would be happy to discuss how we can turn your automation needs into reality. Together, we can achieve extraordinary results.
APAG and Novares partnership just celebrated its five years anniversary with a series of joint innovative technologies successfully awarded by OEMs.
Teams from the two companies recently met in the APAG Canadian manufacturing plant in Windsor, ON and Novares‘ Skill Center in Livonia, MI to develop ideas to further enhance their successful technological partnership.
Novares’ Venture Capital arm purchased a 20% stake in APAG in November 2018, kicking off a close partnership under which Novares integrated APAG electronics and lighting solutions into its product portfolio. This offers enhanced innovative solutions to customers, adding value to the product portfolio of both companies.
The two partners also initiated a joint innovation committee to further explore areas of collaboration between the companies, and to continue developing worldwide cross-functional teamwork between Novares Skill Centers and APAG.
Successful product collaborations recently sold to OEMs include:
An illuminated door sill plate for a luxury carmaker. A Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and lighting module supplied by APAG was integrated into Novares’ door sill trim to provide a new mechatronic top-of-the-range interior part,
A flush deployable door handle with lighting for a premium BEV player. An Electronic Control Units (ECUs) will manage the smart opening and an ambient lighting also provided by APAG was integrated by Novares into the flush opening systems,
A smart opening system for a high-volume electric vehicle of a leading carmaker.
These commercial successes are the result of many years of strong team spirit built between the two companies, strengthening the partnership and reinforcing the commitment to rely on each other’s complementary skills.
During a speech, Pierre BOULET, Novares CEO, said: “Our partnership has proved fruitful, with three key customers benefiting from our combined technologies. In the future we will work with APAG to develop even more products that bring the latest technologies to our customers and cement the technological alliance between our two companies.”
Anand KANORIA, APAG CEO, also highlighted: “At APAGCoSyst, we are proud of the successful alliance we have built with Novares over the past five years. Our collaboration has led to the development of innovative technologies and a readiness for further research and development. The spirit between our teams allows us to deliver to customers as one company; and thus shortens the supply chain. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Novares to bring cutting-edge solutions to the fast-advancing automotive industry.”
ABOUT NOVARES:
Based in France, Novares is a global supplier of plastic solutions that designs and manufactures complex components and systems that serve the future of the automotive industry. The company creates and produces advanced automotive solutions with technical plastic injection for greener, lighter, and connected cars with intelligent and intuitive interfaces for all passengers. Novares co-develops and provides engineering and manufacturing expertise to virtually every OEM in the world and many Tier 1 companies in the automotive market.
Novares, which is behind the construction of one in three vehicles in the world, achieved a turnover of 1.2 billion euros in 2022, thanks to its presence in 22 countries, its 38 manufacturing plants, its 7 centers of expertise, its 7 technical centers and 17 customer service centers around the world to partner with customers.
APAGCoSyst is an established, electronics and lighting, design, and manufacturing company headquartered in Switzerland. With R&D centers in Germany and Canada, and production plants in the Czech Republic and Canada, APAGCoSyst is serving quality-conscious and demanding customers globally. APAG products are in the VW/Audi/Porsche group, Stellantis, GM, and the BMW group vehicles, among others. The company also serves the medical, and industrial sectors.
APAGCoSyst’s primary capabilities include (1) Design lighting (interior and exterior peripheral function or aesthetic lighting modules), (2) ECUs (comfort/luxury function control units with an emphasis on motor control, sensor data processing and gateways and human-machine interfaces including capacitive touch); and (3) EMS (electronic manufacturing services).
Welcome to The Spotlight, our new series where we shine a light on the talented employees of APAGCoSyst, from across all our locations and levels of the organization. Our aim is to provide you with a glimpse into the careers of some of the amazing individuals who make us the go-to reliable supplier of electronics components.
As we kick off this series on Women’s Day, we are proud to feature some of the great women that are part of our APAGCoSyst team. We would like to highlight the important role women play in our company, comprising about two-thirds of our workforce. They represent a diverse range of roles and backgrounds, and they all share a passion for delivering excellence and a commitment to making a positive impact in their work.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll be featuring short interviews with our team members, giving you the opportunity to learn more about their career paths, their achievements, and their insights into what makes our company such a special place to be a part of.
We hope that this series will not only provide a platform for our employees to showcase their talents and contributions, but also inspire others who may be considering a career in electronics manufacturing. Our talented team members are the heart and soul of our company, and we are excited to introduce them through The Spotlight series.
Stay tuned, and get ready to meet some of the amazing people who make APAGCoSyst such a dynamic and innovative company.