CLM Search

We’re excited to share that members of the CLM Search team will be attending CES 2026 in Las Vegas from 6–9th January. Jack Cahill – President, Americas Daniel Lyth – Principal Client Partner, Semiconductors Mickel Angelo Kugendran – Senior Client Partner, Vehicle Technology They’ll be on the ground meeting clients, candidates, exploring the latest innovations, and connecting with organisations shaping the future across mobility, semiconductors, technology and beyond. If you’re attending CES and would like to connect, please reach out to the team - we’d love to meet. Looking forward to yet another great week in Las Vegas!

🔍 Insights Snapshot: Nearshoring & Supply Chain Shifts in Mexico’s Automotive Sector A few standout trends are reshaping Mexico’s automotive supply chains, according to recent industry analysis: 1. USMCA Uncertainty Ahead The upcoming 2026 USMCA review is driving companies to reassess regional value content, labor rules, and long-term investment strategies. 📈 2. Tier-2 Supplier Gaps = Big Opportunity Mexico faces shortages in key Tier-2 processes — machining, plastics, stamping, and especially aluminum forging/extrusion. ⚙️ Closing these gaps could unlock major growth for local suppliers. 3. Smarter Cross-Border Logistics Manufacturers are consolidating freight in Mexico before crossing into the U.S. to reduce costs and streamline customs. Demand for bonded warehouses and FTZs is rising sharply. 4. Mexico’s EV Ambitions 🔋 The government-backed initiative for a domestic EV brand (“Olinia”) aims to boost local content and strengthen supply chains — a potential game changer if executed well. Why It Matters: Nearshoring is no longer just about relocating production. 🌎 It’s about redesigning supply chains for resilience, proximity, and compliance ahead of a shifting USMCA landscape.

South Korea’s semiconductor industry is reinventing itself for the AI era. Samsung Semiconductor is racing to lead across memory, logic, and cooling - securing NVIDIA HBM3E certification, accelerating HBM4, landing a $16.5B Tesla AI chip deal, and acquiring FläktGroup for advanced thermal solutions. SK hynix dominates HBM, invests billions in Korea and Indiana, and pushes next-gen server DRAM and packaging tech. Advanced packaging is now the battleground: Amkor Technology, Inc. expands global AI chip assembly, while Intel Corporation pushes 3D stacking and chiplet architectures. The takeaway for talent: 1) Demand for AI memory, packaging, and thermal experts is surging 2) Global hiring is intensifying across Korea, the U.S., and beyond 3) Cross-functional roles now span silicon, memory, packaging, and cooling Korea is no longer just a memory powerhouse. Think of it as a full-stack AI semiconductor hub. The race for talent continues to excel. #CLM #Semiconductors #AI #Packaging Reference: https://lnkd.in/e2WpQA9N

⚠️ ZF Group’s debt spike is a wake-up call for the auto industry Interest rates on ZF’s latest bonds jumped to 7%, up from 2% in 2019. With billions in debt maturing and EV transition pressures mounting, even major suppliers are feeling the squeeze. ⚡❌7,600 jobs cut in electrified powertrain division 📉💸Rising costs + global competition = tighter margins 💧⚡Liquidity is critical for survival and innovation How can suppliers stay financially resilient while investing in EV and advanced tech in this challenging environment?

🚗⚙️ Positive news for U.S. automotive manufacturing!✨ Toyota announced a $912 million investment to expand hybrid production across several U.S. plants, creating 252 new manufacturing jobs in WV, KY, MS, TN, and MO. This is the kind of momentum the industry needs, and it reinforces a few big shifts happening right now: 🔋 Hybrids continue to surge: not just EV vs. ICE, but a strong middle ground that’s driving real demand. 🏭 OEMs are reinvesting heavily in U.S. operations, bringing stability and long-term opportunity to manufacturing regions. 👷♂️ Skilled plant leadership is more crucial than ever: especially in CI, high-volume launches, and powertrain operations. As someone who works closely with plant managers, operations leaders, and the teams that keep manufacturing moving, this kind of investment is a great sign for 2025 and beyond. It’s an exciting time to be in automotive manufacturing. 🚀 #AutomotiveManufacturing #AutoComponents #USManufacturing #Operations #PlantManager #ContinuousImprovement #ManufacturingGrowth #IndustrialInvestment #EV #ICE #SupplyChain #Headhunter #TalentAcquisition #CLMSearch https://lnkd.in/gyvwiCDC

Fluence gearing for growth 📈 🔋 Fluence just released its FY2025 results and the company is clearly gearing up for its next phase of growth. They delivered record Q4 orders ($1.4B), expanded their backlog to $5.3B, and strengthened margins, even though full-year revenue dipped to $2.3B. Liquidity is now at a record $1.3B, giving them serious room to execute. Operationally, they continue to scale fast: ⚡ 6.8 GW deployed (+36%) ⚡ ARR up to $148M ⚡ Strong pipeline growth across storage and services Looking ahead, Fluence is forecasting 50% revenue growth in FY2026 with 85% already covered by existing backlog, a strong signal of market confidence and execution momentum. As energy storage becomes even more critical to the grid, Fluence’s domestic content strategy is clearly paying off in the U.S. market. With this level of growth ahead, what do you think Fluence need to ensure for them to scale effectively and stay ahead of the industry?

Aeva has landed an exclusive global production contract with a major European passenger-car OEM, becoming the Tier-1 LiDAR supplier for its upcoming vehicle platforms outside of China. Notable highlights: • Their cutting-edge Aeva Atlas Ultra 4D LiDAR will be standard across multiple vehicle models for combustion, hybrid and EV platforms.  • Production is planned to start in 2028, with the programme running well into the 2030s. • This signals a major shift in automotive sensing; a move from traditional 3D time-of-flight to next-gen 4D LiDAR across mainstream passenger cars. Meanwhile, in the commercial-vehicle space, Daimler Truck AG recently selected a different provider for short-range LiDAR: Innoviz Technologies was chosen to supply InnovizTwo short-range LiDAR sensors for its autonomous Class 8 trucks via subsidiary Torc Robotics, underlining how OEMs are building diversified sensor stacks and choosing the best tool for each application. Aeva will continue to supply long and ultra-long-range FMCW sensing to Daimler Truck AG. The fact that Daimler Truck AG Truck is working with more than one LiDAR supplier highlights how real-world automated driving solutions may rely on sensor diversity (long-range + short-range + radar + cameras) depending on use case. Who doubles down, who gets acquired, and who gets swept out will come down to a mix of unit economics, reliability at scale, and fit within OEM architecture, not just tech demos. The next 2–3 years could reshape the competitive landscape completely. #LIDAR #ADAS #AutonomousDriving #CLMSearch

𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐈 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐬 Marvell Technology has announced a major step forward in its AI connectivity strategy with the acquisition of Celestial AI in a deal valued at $3.25B. The deal has the potential to reach $5.5b. The news comes as Marvell delivered an earnings beat and signaled 25% data-center growth next year. This sent shares up 13% in extended trading. This acquisition positions Marvell to strengthen its footprint in the rapidly expanding AI infrastructure market. Celestial AI’s Photonic Fabric™ - a next-generation optical interconnect technology designed to link high-performance compute at scale -addresses one of the most pressing challenges in modern AI systems: moving massive amounts of data efficiently across increasingly large, heterogeneous chip clusters. The move follows Celestial AI’s recent purchase of ROCKLEY PHOTONICS’ IP portfolio, adding foundational silicon photonics, modulators, and optical switching patents. With more than 200 patents globally, Celestial AI now commands one of the strongest IP positions in optical compute interconnect. Why this matters? Optical interconnects are quickly becoming essential for AI scaling, outperforming copper with higher bandwidth, longer reach, and improved system performance. We noted this prior with regards to GlobalFoundries & JCET Group's SiPh or co-optical package offerings. These technologies unlock the ability to tie together dozens - or hundreds -of advanced AI chips, enabling the next generation of large-scale training and inference systems. Marvell CEO Matt Murphy highlighted that the deal will accelerate Marvell’s roadmap toward delivering “the industry’s most complete connectivity platform for AI and cloud customers,” with early applications focused on large custom XPUs and AI switches. AWS echoed this outlook, noting the acquisition will help “accelerate optical scale-up innovation” for future AI deployments. With hyperscalers investing hundreds of billions in AI compute, Marvell’s integration of Celestial AI’s technology - which is backed by a significantly expanded IP estate - marks a timely move in the race to power next-gen AI data centers. #CLM #Semiconductors #Photonics #Optics #AI References: https://lnkd.in/eDviMXK4 https://lnkd.in/emjEpqfj

🔧💥 $8.8 BILLION Pouring Into U.S. Auto Component Manufacturing The latest data from Industrial Info Resources shows $8.8B in active capital spending across U.S. auto-component plants, a huge signal that manufacturing isn’t slowing down… it’s scaling up. Here are some standout moves happening across the country: 🏭 Honda: Retooling Marysville, OH for EV battery modules ⚙️ Stellantis: Upgrading Kokomo, IN to build electric drive modules 🔩 Ford: Investing $160M in new transmission equipment in Ohio to support ICE production 🪑 Magna: Building a $100M seating-component plant in Auburn Hills 🔁 ZF: Putting $500M into its South Carolina plant to expand transmission capacity #AutomotiveManufacturing #AutoComponents #USManufacturing #Operations #PlantManager #ContinuousImprovement #ManufacturingGrowth #IndustrialInvestment #EV #ICE #SupplyChain #Headhunter #TalentAcquisition #CLMSearch https://lnkd.in/ghRhiq9e