Electronics experts are discussing the future of the electronics industry in Tallinn, Estonia

Today, on October 15th, the international electronics industry seminar “EMS and Beyond 2024” takes place, focusing on opportunities and challenges within the electronics industry, including supply chain conditions and new regulations. The seminar brings together electronics sector experts and companies from across Europe in Tallinn to discuss industry developments and share best practices.

The seminar’s main organizer, Arno Kolk, Managing Director of the Estonian Electronics Industries Association, emphasizes that the topics addressed at the seminar are crucial for the future of the industry: “In recent years, the electronics industry has had to contend with a components crisis and a challenging economic environment. The situation is now stabilizing, but new challenges, such as the CRA regulation and increasing ESG requirements, demand adaptability and innovation from the sector.”

Kolk adds: “Estonia’s electronics industry is closely tied to international markets, particularly in Northern Europe and Germany, where the economic situation is currently challenging. Some projects initially planned for launch have been postponed until next year. Nevertheless, we see positive signs in areas such as automation and the defense industry, which support growth in electronics production volumes.”

According to Kolk, workforce challenges have somewhat receded for the time being, yet the electronics industry remains a promising career choice. “Even if companies’ revenues have declined, efforts are made to retain specialists as long as possible, with few layoffs in the sector,” he added.

Now in its seventh year, the seminar focuses on opportunities and challenges within the electronics industry. Topics of discussion include the components crisis, the new CRA regulation, and investment banks’ and investors’ perspectives on the electronics sector. Speakers include analysts, industry associations, entrepreneurs, and bankers. This year, the seminar hosts over 180 participants from 18 countries, with attendees from the Baltic and Nordic regions, as well as from Spain, Italy, and India.

Analytics expert Dieter G. Weiss (In4ma) will focus on the components crisis in his presentation, while Jenirathese Nadar, Regional Marketing Manager at NXP Semiconductors, will discuss the new EU Cyber Resilience Act. Alexis Montoya from Microchip Technology Inc. will address the semiconductor crisis from a supplier’s perspective, and Simon Majer, Vice President at investment bank Raymond James, will present investment banks’ perspectives on electronics manufacturing.

In the afternoon, Arno Kolk, Managing Director of the Estonian Electronics Industries Association, will discuss the current state of Estonia’s electronics industry. Alison James, Senior Director of Government Relations at IPC, and Kaspar Peek, Head of Industry at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications of Estonia, will speak on the need to support the entire electronics manufacturing value chain, from chips to systems. Helena Maripuu, Group Communication and IR Lead at Incap, will provide an overview of the role of ESG sustainability reporting in the growth of the electronics manufacturing services sector. Francisco Fourcade, Electronics Technology Standards Manager in Europe, will cover the path to achieving excellence in electronics manufacturing. The day will conclude with a panel of industry leaders, including representatives from In4ma, Incap, Avnet Silica, and Texas Instruments, who will discuss the latest components crisis.

The seminar is supported by IPC, Incap, Arrow, Avnet, In4ma, and Data4PCB.

The Estonian Electronics Industries Association is a modern, smart international network catering to experienced local electronics manufacturers, emerging start-ups, and international electronics producers. The association connects various industrial sectors in Estonia, fostering innovation in the electronics industry to create future lifestyle solutions. It comprises over 80 organizations covering the entire electronics value chain, including product development, manufacturing, repair and recycling, logistics, component, consumable, and equipment supply, as well as education, specialized training, and recruitment services.