The international electronics industry seminar “EMS and Beyond 2024” opened today, October 15, focusing on opportunities and challenges in the electronics industry, including supply chain issues and new regulations. The seminar in Tallinn has brought together experts and companies from the electronic sector in all of Europe. Their aim is to discuss developments in the industry and to share best practices.
The host and main organiser of the seminar is Arno Kolk, managing director of the Estonian Electronics Industries Association. He says that topics addressed at the event are crucial for the future of the industry:
“In recent years the electronics industry has had to deal with a crisis of components, as well as a challenging economic environment. The situation is now stabilising, but new challenges such as the European Union’s Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) regulations and increasing ESG requirements will demand adaptability and innovations in the sector,” he says.
Kolk adds: “Estonia’s electronics industry is closed linked to international markets, particularly in Northern Europe and Germany, where there are currently lots of economic challenges. Some projects which were already supposed to be launched have instead been postponed until next year. Nevertheless, we are seeing positive trends in areas such as automation and the defence industry, both of which support growth in the volume of electronics production.”
The managing director has also said that workforce challenges have somewhat declined at this time, adding that the electronics industry remains a promising career choice: “Even those companies with reduced revenues are trying to keep their specialists as long as possible; there are very few layoffs in this sector.”
The “EMS is Beyond 2024” seminar is being held for the seventh time this year. The focus is on opportunities and challenges in the electronics industry, including a crisis with components, the new CRA regulation, as well as the perspectives of investment banks and investors about the sector. Speakers include analysts, representatives of industry associations, entrepreneurs and bankers. There are more than 180 participants from 18 countries, including the Baltic and Nordic regions, as well as Spain, Italy and India.
Analytics expert Dieter G. Weiss (In4ma) was scheduled to discuss the components crisis, while Jenirathese Nadar, regional marketing manager for MXP Semiconductors will focus on the European Union’s new Cyber Resilience Act. Alexis Montoya from Microchip Technology was due to discuss the semiconductor crisis from the perspective of a supplier. Simon Majer, vice president at the Raymond James investment bank, was there to present the perspective of investment banks in the field of electronics manufacturing.
Arno Kolk from the Estonian Electronics Industries Association was due to discuss the current state of Estonia’s electronics industry during the afternoon session. Alison James, senior director for government relations at IPC, and Kaspar Peek, head of industry at the Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications were scheduled to speak about the need for support in the entire electronics manufacturing value chain, from chips to systems. Helena Maripuu, group communications and IR lead at Incap, would provide an overview of the role of ESG sustainability in terms of the growth of the electronics manufacturing services sector. Francisco Fourcade, Electronics Technology Standards manager in Europe, was due to talk about how to achieve excellence in electronics manufacturing. A panel discussion at the end of the day would include representatives of In4ma, Incap, Avnet Silica and Texas instruments to discuss the latest crisis in components.
The seminar has support from IPC, Incap, Arrow, Avnet, In4ma and Data4PCB.
The Estonian Electronics Industries Association is a smart and modern international network which provides services to experienced local electronics manufacturers, emerging startups and international electronics manufacturers. The association links various sectors in Estonia, boosting innovation in the industry so as to create future lifestyle solutions. The association has more than 80 member organisations covering the entire value chain in electronics, including product development, manufacturing, repair and recycling, logistics, components, consumables, equipment supply, education, specialised training and recruitment services.