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American Correspondent
Susan Mucha
Susan Mucha has over 25 years experience in the electronics manufacturing services (EMS) industry. She began her
career at SCI Systems, Inc. in 1981. She held progressively more responsible positions in marketing, strategic
planning and/or sales management at AVEX Electronics, Flextronics, XeTel and Sparton Electronics. Most recently,
she spent four years as Vice President, Sales and Marketing and an officer of Elamex S.A. de C.V. In 2001, she
founded Powell-Mucha Consulting, Inc. which focuses on strategic planning, market positioning and training for
the EMS industry.
In addition to the results her programs have generated, Ms. Mucha has received numerous industry awards. In 1994,
she was the recipient of the IPC's President's Award for her work in support of IPC's Electronics Manufacturing
Services Industry (EMSI) Council. She has also won regional and international awards for marketing programs.
Ms. Mucha holds an M.A.S. degree from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and a B.S. degree in journalism
from the University of Florida. She is a Certified Manager through the Institute of Certified Professional
Managers (ICPM).
Sue Mucha
Powell-Mucha Consulting, Inc.
Telephone: 915-585-7285
smucha@powell-muchaconsulting.com
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Recent articles by Susan Mucha;
More than labour in ‘Lowest Total Cost’ (14 June 2010)
I’ve been spending a fair amount of time travelling within Asia and looking at the total cost equation in outsourcing. I thought this would also be good topic for a column....FULL STORY
Recovery challenges – balancing capacity and demand (09 March 2010)
One of the biggest challenges EMS companies seem to be facing in 2010 is lengthening component lead-times. After a year of slow sales, just as demand is picking up, lead-times are stretching out....FULL STORY
Today’s economic forecast depends on your frame of reference (14 January 2010)
I started January with a trip to Northern Michigan, which was getting lake effect snow and sub-zero Fahrenheit temperatures. However, the local TV weatherman was cheerfully announcing that the following week would bring a warming spell that would take temperatures back up to the 20s....FULL STORY
Two strategies that help lower total cost (27 November 2009)
One positive trend I’ve seen driven by the recession is that there are far more conversations taking place relative to the role of manufacturing in global competitiveness....FULL STORY
Too Many Trade Shows, Too Few Attendees (09 November 2009)
In September and October, I attended IPC Midwest, MDM Midwest/Assembly Expo in Chicago and SMTA International (SMTAI) in San Diego. Plus, in the middle of those visits I spent about about 10 days in Taiwan and Japan....FULL STORY
The Evolving Role of Women in Engineering (19 October 2009)
Recently, a female EMT Worldwide reader initiated a lively discussion about women (or lack thereof) in engineering in aerospace and electronics fields. As someone who has been the only woman in the Board room and on technical conference panels on more occasions than I can count, the conversation got me thinking about possible article topics....FULL STORY
US economy giving mixed signals (11 August 2009)
Early August saw some glimmers of hope as several U.S. economic indicators either showed slowing declines or actual growth. Given the mixed data, I thought it might be best to start with specific information from three of these indicators rather than attempt to make a broad generalization....FULL STORY
Positive change or greater cost? (13 July 2009)
The US manufacturing community has much to watch over the next few months as politicians in the US and abroad enact changes that may have significant implications on the cost of doing business. Two less obvious items I’ve been watching are health care reform and cap and trade carbon permits....FULL STORY
Building a robust multinational programme management team (12 June 2009)
The obvious news stories for this month’s column were swine flu (or whatever politically correct term one’s country wishes to name it) or the economy. However, within the EMS community, swine flu hasn’t made much of an impact. And, currently the economy is a one paragraph column because the only ‘new’ news is that no one can quite agree if the upturn is starting to happen now or will start six months from now....FULL STORY
Focus on Singapore (01 May 2009)
In March, I was part of a press tour of Singapore electronics manufacturing services (EMS) and precision engineering suppliers. As someone who has worked in the EMS industry for a few decades, several key points struck me…...FULL STORY
Challenging times in the EMS world (23 March 2009)
Electronics manufacturing services (EMS) providers often pat themselves on the back for not being at the bottom of the food chain in the electronics industry. But in a recession, the bottom can look far better than the EMS providers’ role in the middle of the food chain which carries more risk....FULL STORY
Trends in prototypes (05 January 2009)
I thought focusing on technology issues might be a good way to start the year. I’ve interviewed Duane Benson, the marketing manager at Portland, Ore.-based Screaming Circuits. ...FULL STORY
The upside of economic downturns (08 December 2008)
It is hard to turn on the news without hearing a story on some new economic looming economic crisis. Homes are in foreclosure, lending is frozen, retail is depressed and unemployment has reached a 15 year high. ...FULL STORY
Fall trade show wrap-up (03 November 2008)
Midwest in the Fall! The autumn trade show scene in the USA has become slightly confused - Susan Mucha visited them all and this is her verdict....FULL STORY
EMS companies may profit from U.S. economic pain (22 September 2008)
In April I wrote a column titled What Recession? discussing positive comments from EMS providers at the APEX show, which in large reflected the fact that different sectors of the economic were in different economic cycles....FULL STORY
Notes from the Wild, Wild West (04 August 2008)
I ended my last article on Mexico (Viva Mexico!) by pointing out that Mexico is old world culture, a skilled high technology manufacturing location, a poor agrarian society, Montezuma’s revenge and the Wild West all rolled into one country. Well, both the Wild West and skilled high technology aspects are starting to heat up in Juarez so I thought this might be a good time for an update. ...FULL STORY
What Drives Regional EMS Success? (04 July 2008)
Back in April, my column focused on the optimism found in the US regional electronics manufacturing services (EMS) sector. That optimism seems to be continuing, in spite of the fact that some much larger Tier One EMS players have posted earnings warnings. I thought this might be a time to take a look at elements of that business model that help drive success. ...FULL STORY
The Changing of the Guard (23 May 2008)
Change in senior management is both inevitable and important, argues Susan Mucha. But it needs to be handled properly. ...FULL STORY
What Recession? (21 April 2008)
An interesting comment I heard several times from regional EMS providers attending APEX was, “what recession?” Make no mistake, segments of the U.S. economy are experiencing significant downturn, but many U.S. regional EMS providers are seeing record levels of new opportunity. What drives this and what trends should be watched?...FULL STORY
The Whys and Hows of EMS Program Manager Certification (17 March 2008)
Are your program managers certified? While offsite training may seem to be an unnecessary overhead expense in a time of some economic uncertainty, the better question may be ‘can you afford to not certify your program managers?’ ...FULL STORY
Attitude Makes a Difference in EMS Customer Service (11 February 2008)
I’ve just spent a brutal week on the road travelling the U.S. coast-to-coast, so my decision to write a column on electronics manufacturing services (EMS) customer service shouldn’t be a surprise, says Susan Mucha...FULL STORY
Analyzing Total Cost Stays in Vogue (14 January 2008)
The electronics manufacturing services (EMS) market is very cyclical. When demand drops and recession ensues there is a stampede to the lowest cost markets. But as demand increases or becomes less predictable, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) analyze their EMS spend and rationalize their supply base either geographically or in terms of EMS business model. Many who do this exercise find one size doesn’t fit all. ...FULL STORY
Viva Mexico! (17 December 2007)
Mexico is back on the map for global EMS companies. Susan Mucha explains why it is time they should break for the border!...FULL STORY
RoHS isn’t Everyone’s Cup of Tea (19 November 2007)
It is no secret that not all original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are thrilled with RoHS legislation. While some companies covered by exemptions are using that time for a slow conversion to RoHS, others choose to avoid the issue for as long as possible. ...FULL STORY
The Difference Between EMS and Outsourcing (01 October 2007)
Susan Mucha says that outsourcing only works if the outsourcing process is robust – and the onus for this falls on the OEM, not the EMS....FULL STORY
How Big is Too Big? (05 August 2007)
Susan Mucha argues that while Tier one EMS providers will continue to dominate, they will not take over....FULL STORY
Managing customer expectations (07 June 2007)
American correspondent Susan Mucha asks, how closely does your company’s preferred business model mirror customer preferences?...FULL STORY
Does Your Cost Reduction Focus Adequately Measure Accountability Cost? (10 May 2007)
The electronics industry’s unofficial motto has always been better, cheaper, faster. To that end, engineering and procurement are always challenged to find lower cost sources of supply. But at what cost is the lower price? Susan Mucha examines the subject further....FULL STORY
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