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Introduction
In Europe, there are few well-known and profitable circuit board manufacturers.
Most of these manufacturers have plants in Germany.
But some are from the UK and France.
Specific information on the major European PCB manufacturers can be found on this page.
We have updated and on-point information for your review.
We hope you find it helpful and want to help you with your business planning.
What is the PCB Manufacturing Sector in Europe?
What is the PCB Manufacturing Sector in Europe?
The landscape in the European electronics industries is bleak.
For circuit board production, the market is also in decline.
Globally, the orders for circuit boards are in decline because of several factors.
- Inflation
- Russia’s War with Ukraine
- Soaring energy costs
- Chinese restrictions due to COVID
- Supply Chain troubles
So far, European PCB companies leverage top-notch quality and sophisticated technology as a way to differentiate themselves from Asian/Chinese PCB producers.
The future of these European companies does not look bright, but all are hoping for a better outcome in the meantime.
The Top Ten European PCB Manufacturers
The following, listed in alphabetical order, are the leading producers of European circuit boards:
Aspocomp
Aspocomp
With its headquarters in Finland, this company is well known for its Medical PCBs, Automotive PCBS, Telecom PCBs, and other advanced PCBs. What distinguishes it from other PCB manufacturers is its QTA service, or Quick-Turn Around Time service. Customers in Finland and nearby Scandinavian countries can receive their orders within the day. There is also a special Exception Management option for mid-volume PCB orders of urgency.
Please visit the website, if you need to know more.
AT&S
AT&S
With its headquarters in Leoben, Styria, in central Austria, this company has grown since its founding in 1987. Today, it has facilities in China (Chongquing) and India. To make its capacity in manufacturing Flex PCBs exceed the competition, it also acquired Korean PCB manufacturer Tofic. This company’s product offerings are no different from other European companies. However, it specializes in any layer count of HDI PCB.
Please visit the website, if you need to know more.
CMS & CML
CMS & CML
This company has a facility in Waldbronn, Germany. It specializes in Aluminum PCB and Rigid PCBs of all types. There are Multilayer PCB options, but the layer count is limited to 12. Aside from the usual FR4 material, it offers CEM-1, CEM-3 and FR-5 PCBs. Another company called CIA recently joined with CMS to form Starteam Global, headquartered in Hong Kong, with new facilities in Sichuan, China.
Please visit the website, if you need to know more.
CTS Group
CTS Group
This company has a wide range of capabilities, aside from circuit boards. It is partners with a Taiwanese PCB manufacturing company, acting as the Taiwanese’s company’s distributor for circuit boards in the European market. CTS also has contracts with Dupont and Rogers, companies that supply premium PCB materials. The main products are Multilayer PCBs an Ceramic PCBs.
Please visit the website, if you need to know more.
Elvia PCB
Elvia PCB
The one and only leading PCB producer in France is Elvia. As a profitable company, the company reports a turnover of approximately 50 million USD in 2022. It is a dependable source for government projects, sourcing PCBs for railway/transportation equipment. It specializes in Industrial PCBs, military PCBS, PTC temperature controller PCBs, aside from the usual multilayer PCB offerings.
Please visit the website, if you need to know more.
Eurocircuits
Eurocircuits
With the motto, “Right First Time” this company specializes in small batches of PCBs. The batches are kept small intentionally as they cater to choosy customers. The company does prototyping and a special offer called “3+3”. This special plan boasts of PCB manufacture in 3 days plus assembly also in 3 days. Eurocircuits touts itself as supportive of the European community and its citizens.
Please visit the website, if you need to know more.
ICAPE Group
ICAPE Group
This company is based France. Almost twenty years ago, started as a small PCB company. Now, its presence is felt in Germany and France as well as China. Now, this company has facilities in the US too. ICAP’s main products are double-sided PCBs, single-sided PCBs. In Germany, they make the special Immersion Tin PCB. Recent investment in equipment highlight the company’s emphasis on PCBs for self-driving cars and semiconductors.
Please visit the website, if you need to know more.
Multi-Teknik
Multi-Teknik
This company prides itself as a turn-key PCB provider. This means that they have CAM engineers on deck to help with PCB designing. This company’s first plant was in Sweden, but it has since expanded into several countries including China and Lithuania. It uniquely provides solder paste stenciling service for PCBs. Another specialty is customization of copper thickness (18 μm to 400 μm) for the final product.
Please visit the website, if you need to know more.
NCAB
NCAB
Headquartered in Sundbyberg, Sweden, this PCB company also has production facilities in China. The plants produce circuit boards for automotive applications, especially high-end German cars. Other specializations include military-grade PCBs for the European market and medically-related PCBs. It is a company that is very strict with Environmental Management Systems as well as Energy Management Systems. In 2021, it reported profits despite economic hardships in Europe. It also has facilities in Malaysia and North Macedonia.
Please visit the website, if you need to know more.
Würth Elektronik Circuit Board Technology
Würth Elektronik Circuit Board Technology
If you need a lot of PCBs made, it provides free samples. produce prototypes. Although it has its headquarters in Germany, its manufacturing facilities are located in both Asia and Germany. The company specializes in PCBs for RF applications, LTCC PCBs, and Microvia PCBs employing cutting-edge laser technology. It is not surprising that the PCBs from this company’s factory end up in other Würth products given that it is a member of the Würth group.
Please visit the website, if you need to know more.
Advantages of PCB Manufacturers in Europe
Advantages of PCB Manufacturers in Europe
Some customers from Europe often prefer European companies for PCB fabrication. Over those in founded in China, Korea, or Taiwan, PCB makers from Europe have a variety of reasons why their items are patronized.
It is undeniable that many people like Asian manufacturers since they are less expensive. However, the factors below make homegrown companies preferable for the European market.
Cutting Edge Technology
The European makers are known as the pioneers in PCB manufacture. With their emphasis on Research and Development (R&D), many of these companies are the first in PCB advancements. They employ the best PCB engineers and technicians—the best in the world flock to Europe. Because of the good standard of living, these bright minds stay to on to produce inventions that are later copied by the rest. When it comes to innovation and highly precise engineering, the German PCB makers are dominant, of course.
Environmental Safety Concerns
European businesses must adhere strictly to environmental laws. As a result, the production of PCBs is permitted only if companies follow the RoHS mandate. The strict Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance rules are also just as strictly adhered to. Businesses are required to comply without exception. Since no PCB firm wants to be shut down as a result of noncompliance, they continuously improve their environmental safety management systems. In terms of environmentally sustainable manufacturing, Europe also sets the standards.
Corporate Social Responsibility Concerns
The fact that PCB workers at European businesses are treated better than their Asian counterparts is a benefit. The government’s rigorous regulations governing employee welfare and environmental protection are mostly responsible for this. European businesses often have a very ethical stance toward not only their clients but also how they conduct business. We can say that in this case, good reputation is associated with top PCB companies operating in EU states.
Logistics Within Europe
An advantage of European PCB producers is the proximity to their customers that are also in Europe. A shorter supply chain results lessens supply chain issues that inevitably come up. Recently, transportation expenses have increased, thus this benefit is being emphasized more and more. Other benefits that come with the short supply chain include improved vendor communication, ease of returning defective goods, and improved quality control.
Economic Contribution
Although diversity is better in EU countries, some still believe that businesses must employ EU nationals rather than foreigners. In the same vein, some people also believe that EU businesses must not sell off to Asian owners. This sentiment is not just for PCB industries but other businesses as well, such as car manufacture. European governments may pass legislation to limit imports of PCBs from Asia. Another concern is that EU-based manufacturers pay taxes in their respective EU countries.
Challenges of PCB Manufacturers in Europe
Utilizing PCB manufacturers with EU roots has benefits, but there are restrictions as well. The most important of all is that purchasing from EU manufacturers is expensive. These elements are described below.
Cost
Chinese PCB manufacturers make high quality PCBs at a cheaper price compared to their European counterparts. Many of the top ten European PCB manufacturers have partnered with Chinese PCB makers. Some of the PCB makers that were not able to make it to the list of the top ten producers have actually been bought by Chinese companies. Some European PCB companies invest in Chinese factories to lower costs of manufacturing in Europe. Prime examples are CCT Europe GmbH and Starteam Global.
Local Business Get Local Support
Customers that are picky about buying locally might not favor Chinese PCB manufacturers. Recent acquisitions and cooperative networks between European companies and Chinese companies have made it harder to determine which PCBS are locally made and which are made in China. But some customers, both large and small, will adhere to their values. They will reject anything that is imported from elsewhere or has the appearance of being an import. Some customers have an outright allergic reaction for anything made outside their shores.
Cutting Edge Technology is a Costly Investment
Except for Japan, European and American PCB companies are the champions in PCB innovation. EU countries such as Germany and Austria have been at the forefront of PCB development since the whole industry began. Here is a video about cutting edge PCB technologies:
As you can see, these well-funded corporations invest millions in product development, their R&D capabilities outpace everyone else. As the leader of the industry, it is likely that European PCB firms are the first to come up with new products. These are later emulated by their Asian counterparts. However, all this cutting-edge technology is costly. The consumer ends up paying the steep price.
Exclusive Only to Sensitive Sectors
Military PCBs, aerospace PCBs and aeronautic PCBs are specializations of European PCB makers. These industries serviced are special sectors that have limited customers. The kinds of PCBs sold to them are sold almost exclusively inside Europe, again, limiting the number of customers and revenue. The primary reason is security. It is understandable that some European clients, particularly from government sector, only deal with European makers. This is in order to avoid national security issues. Another special consideration is made for Automotive PCBs. Some modern technologies in European vehicles can only be used with circuit boards built in Europe, and vice versa.
Types of PCBs Produced by European PCB Manufacturers
The types of circuit boards produced in the Europe are the same as those produced by their Asian/Chinese counterparts.
Although tech development is the biggest advantage of European brands, sometimes the choice boils down to cost.
EU-made PCBs that are already made by Asian/Chinese counterparts can be categorized as follows:
- Flexible PCB, Rigid-Flex PCB, Rigid PCBs
- Ceramic PCB, Teflon PCB, AlN PCB
- All types of Rogers PCB & Arlon PCB
- PCBs made after using Reverse Engineering process
- PCBs of differing copper weights starting with the thinnest oz to the thickest
- Mobile PCBs for smartphones and tablets (hottest sellers in the EU market)
How to Choose a PCB Manufacturer
When choosing a PCB manufacturer, the customer’s preferences take precedent. The business goals or the end goals of the project must be realized too. However, there are certain things that need attention. Make sure your PCB provider:
- It is essential that staff members get PCB training in all areas.
- Must be offering top-notch items and excellent customer service
- PCB assembly, design, and quality control procedures must be followed
- Realistic claims must be made at prices that are competitive
- Requirements of RoHS complied with
- To compete with European brands, a company’s printed circuit board manufacturing process must use the most up-to-date methods and technologies.
We are PCBTok, a company that fulfills all of the above requirements. Please contact us now for a quick quote on your PCB order.
Conclusion
The reasons why EU customers hold on to EU-based PCB makers are many. But cost is not one of them.
After performing their own research, savvy shoppers have already converted to purchasing Chinese-made products.
The research might be conducted on a modest scale or it can withstand the most thorough examination.
This is the situation with many businesses who formerly only had facilities in European nations but now feel the need to invest in Chinese shores.
It is a wise business decision to select PCB manufacturers from Asia, particularly China, if you’re looking for a PCB supplier who can provide them at a reasonable price. PCBTok is one of them.
Since 2008, we have been producing the highest-quality boards, and we have the most recent PCB technology, much like those European manufacturers.
Contact us today!