SENKO Highlights Disciplined Investment and Supply Chain Flexibility at Global Photonics Economic Forum 2026

Málaga, Spain — 25 September 2026 — SENKO Advanced Components’ Jim Hasegawa, Managing Executive Officer and President of the Optical Communications Division, joined global photonics leaders at the Global Photonics Economic Forum (GPEF) 2026 in Málaga, Spain, to discuss how geopolitics, supply-chain transformation and accelerating AI infrastructure demand are reshaping strategic decisions across the industry.

Held on 24–25 September alongside the European Conference on Optical Communication (ECOC) 2026, GPEF brings together industry leaders, investors, policymakers, researchers and innovators to explore investment trends, technological advances, market challenges and strategic collaboration across the global photonics ecosystem.

Hasegawa participated in the panel, “Geopolitics, Supply Chains & Global Representation,” moderated by Marisa Edmund, Chairman and CEO of Edmund Optics. He joined senior representatives from Jabil, Leister Group, the University at Albany, Prolog Optics and ASML to examine how export controls, tariffs, compliance requirements and changing manufacturing geographies are influencing global photonics supply chains.

Drawing on SENKO’s global perspective, Hasegawa highlighted the significant increase in capacity requirements being driven by AI infrastructure. SENKO is seeing customers request greater capacity while simultaneously navigating decisions about how quickly to invest and where manufacturing capacity should be expanded. “AI is creating real demand for optical connectivity. The question is not simply whether demand will grow, but how quickly we invest, where we build that capacity, and what level of customer commitment should support that investment” he said.

The discussion also addressed whether current geopolitical pressures represent a retreat from globalisation. Hasegawa offered a different perspective, noting that customers increasingly prioritise supply continuity, quality and speed of delivery alongside cost. SENKO has expanded manufacturing across multiple countries to support this changing environment. “I don’t see this as the end of globalisation. I see it as the diversification of globalisation,” Hasegawa said.

Also, he added that the “global demand is still there, global customers are still there, and global manufacturing is still there. What is changing is how we manage risk and where we choose to build capacity.”

Supply-chain resilience was another central theme of the discussion. Our President noted that customers increasingly value manufacturing diversity, flexibility and multiple qualified sourcing options, making continuity of supply an increasingly important part of the supplier relationship.

Looking ahead, Senko raised one of the most significant strategic questions facing the wider optical industry: how much and how quickly should manufacturers expand capacity to support AI infrastructure? The issue was positioned as a key open question in the panel discussion. Hasegawa said SENKO views the current demand as more than a short-term spike, while recognising the importance of disciplined expansion: “We’re continuing to invest, but we’re doing it in stages and in close partnership with our customers.”

Concluding his contribution, Senko emphasised the importance of acting despite uncertainty: “Don’t wait for certainty. Build capability, build flexibility, and stay close to your customers.” Hasegawa mentioned.

The discussion reinforced SENKO’s approach to the next phase of optical connectivity: continuing to invest in the capabilities required to support AI-era infrastructure while strengthening the flexibility and resilience of its global manufacturing operations.

About SENKO Advanced Components

SENKO Advanced Components is a global leader in advanced fibre-optic connectivity solutions, supporting telecommunications, data centres and next-generation digital infrastructure worldwide.

Media enquiries: SENKO Advanced Components Corporate Marketing & Communications danis.cruz@senko.co