Estonia’s electronics industry is closing the year on an upward trajectory: order volumes have increased

Author: Olev Mihkelmaa

notably through the autumn, companies are investing in new technologies, and overall market activity is strengthening. Today, on 5 December, more than 230  experts from 19 countries gather in Tallinn for the international seminar “EMS & Beyond 2025” to discuss the sector’s competitiveness and future outlook.

Arno Kolk, CEO of the Estonian Electronics Industries Association, notes that the sector has clearly gained pace in the final quarter of the year. “Order volumes have grown this autumn and market activity is picking up. Companies are actively investing in production capacity and new technologies, which shows confidence and readiness to move forward,” Kolk says.

According to him, the long-term outlook is supported by strong talent development. “Admissions to engineering programmes remain high, and interest in electronics is growing. Our annual campaign “Study Electronics!” has helped bring more young people into the field, giving confidence that the sector will continue to have the specialists it needs,” Kolk adds.

He also highlights the significance of the newly established Chip Centre (KIIP) in strengthening Estonia’s high-tech capability. “One of this year’s most important developments is the launch of the Chip Centre, which consolidates Estonia’s chip design and testing expertise under one umbrella. It provides a strong foundation for next-generation technologies and helps Estonian high-tech companies elevate their product development,” he explains. To date, the Chip Centre has advised 15 Estonian companies on the opportunities, risks and resource needs involved in developing their own chip.

Dieter Weiss, one of Europe’s best-known electronics industry analysts, emphasises that the sector is undergoing rapid and complex shifts. “This year has seen an exceptional number of mergers and acquisitions, with several publicly listed EMS companies in Europe competing for leadership. At the same time, mid-sized EMS firms face rising customer acquisition costs and shrinking differentiation, as commoditisation makes many EMS providers appear interchangeable to OEMs. The surge in AI servers is also tightening demand for high-end PCBs, increasing pressure on European manufacturing,” Weiss notes.

Now in its eighth year, the international seminar focuses on the competitiveness of Europe’s electronics industry and the future of the manufacturing value chain. This year’s programme explores the rising importance of Central and Eastern Europe in the global electronics landscape, the increasingly complex market dynamics shaping the EMS sector, the long-term viability of PCB manufacturing in Europe, as well as the geopolitical and economic factors influencing growth, trade and investment. The speakers include industry analysts, experts from international organisations, business leaders and senior Estonian officials.

The seminar was opened by Lauri Hussar, Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Estonia, and Otto Pukk, Chairman of the Estonian Electronics Industries Association and President & CEO of Incap Corporation.

Among the keynote contributors are Dr. Mareike Haass and Dieter Weiss (in4ma), who will provide an overview of the current state of the PCB and EMS sectors in Europe. Christoph Solka and Anastasia Ederer from the Global Electronics Association will outline broader European and Baltic market developments. Kristjan Tozen, CEO of Krakul, will demonstrate how close cooperation with EMS partners can accelerate innovation and product development, while Kenneth Kopamees (Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs) will address how tariffs and sanctions are reshaping Europe’s electronics industry and export environment.

In the afternoon session, Arno Kolk, Managing Director of the Estonian Electronics Industries Association, will present the state of Estonia’s electronics sector and the establishment of the KIIP chip competence centre. Alison James, Senior Director of Government Relations at the Global Electronics Association, will introduce a call to action for a European-wide “Silicon to Systems” manufacturing strategy. Sebastian Schaal, founder and CEO of Luminovo, will discuss how modern EMS companies are building resilience and efficiency, followed by Vytautas Ilgunas from TLT PCB with a look at the next chapter of PCB manufacturing in Europe. The day will conclude with the international panel discussion “Can we produce PCBs in Europe?” featuring representatives from TLT PCB, ACB Group, NCAB and Brandner Electronics, moderated by Hanno Septer.

The event is supported by the City of Tallinn, Incap Corporation, in4ma, Data4PCB, Luminovo, the Global Electronics Association, TLT PCB and Avnet.