The manufacturing landscape is evolving rapidly, with companies needing unprecedented levels of agility to navigate changing regulations, customer expectations, and technological advances. This fascinating conversation with Libra Industries’ leadership team offers a window into how a legacy American EMS company continues to adapt and thrive after 85 years in business.
Andrew Williams (CEO) and Bob Hermann (COO) share the story of Libra Industries’ transformation and growth across their three strategic locations with EMSNOW Publisher Eric Miscoll. From their Ohio headquarters to their recently expanded Dallas electronics center of excellence and their doubled-capacity facility in Guaymas, Mexico, Libra has positioned itself to serve high-reliability markets including defense, aerospace, medical, and semiconductor capital equipment manufacturing.
What stands out is how Libra balances traditional manufacturing expertise with forward-thinking investments. While leveraging their 85-year heritage and deep technical knowledge, they’re simultaneously embracing automation, streamlining operations through consolidation, and expanding capabilities in specialized areas like powder coating that open new market opportunities. Their Mexico facility exemplifies this approach – growing from 65,000 to 130,000 square feet with state-of-the-art Amada laser equipment and a new powder coating operation that’s attracting business beyond their existing customer base.
The conversation takes an illuminating turn when discussing current manufacturing challenges, particularly around rapidly changing tariff situations. As Bob notes, “It’s managing a very rapidly evolving customer expectations in the manufacturing landscape.” This uncertainty creates significant complexity, yet also showcases how nimble, mid-sized manufacturers like Libra can leverage their agility as a competitive advantage. By joining industry organizations like PCBAA, they’re also working to strengthen the American electronics manufacturing ecosystem that’s vital to their defense and high-reliability customers.
