Electronic components as an export hit fresh heights in the last year, with a growth of around 20%. The shortage of electronics-qualified workers and skilled engineers contributed to the increasing trend. Therefore, the urgent need for an expert assembly service that can supply high-quality manufacturing is currently on the rise in Austria. Despite the growing demand for electronic components, the equipment providers in Austria have very high expertise and efficiency, which enables the country to be named one of the top 12 PCB assembly houses in Austria.
The success of the electronics industry relies heavily on its ability to harness, process, and exploit increasingly complex electromagnetic energy sources. This involves applying advanced mathematical methods and developing advanced applications in medicine, security, and telecommunications. In other words, the electronics sector that produces these components each day is an indispensable part of the national economy.
This article provides an in-depth analysis of the electronics industry in Austria. In particular, it examines in detail the manufacturing and assembly sectors. The importance of this activity lies in its role as a representative specimen of the future embedded chips, intelligent devices, and microelectronics systems that will drive next-generation technologies. This report analyses, amongst others: market structure, company profile, market trends, key projects, and technology performance.
What is the semiconductor industry like in Austria?
The semiconductor industry headquartered in Austria has been active in the electrical engineering sector for around 20 years. The export of Austria’s microchips, integrated circuit, and semiconductor modules currently stands at around €2 billion. The industry managed to attain such a status by applying advanced technologies, working to the latest standards, and innovating.
What are the strengths of this industry?
From an international business perspective, it is essential to highlight the strength of this industry, which has reached a considerable level of competitiveness. As the number of electronic component producers in the European Union is constantly increasing, companies from the country have met the increasing demand. Moreover, they have also been able to do this without increasing the structure of their operations.
The electronics industry in Austria is a highly innovative technology sector with a high standard that perpetually strives to develop new products. As a result, the sector has achieved an exceptional level of recognition. It is currently on the verge of establishing itself as a significant European player whose primary export source will be China.
The strength of the electronics industry in Austria is its ability to compete with other major markets despite their competitive advantages. For example, there has been a marked increase in the number of Austrian companies exporting to China. This is because the country has been introducing new products. For example, Austrian manufacturers have started to target emerging markets such as China and India, where these regions are becoming increasingly crucial regarding electronic components production and export.
What are the challenges faced by the electronics industry in Austria?
It is essential to highlight the challenges facing this industry in its efforts to progress in an international context. As a result of constantly increasing demands and the continuous expansion of such markets as China, the semiconductor sector has faced challenges in terms of competition. In addition, there have been problems in terms of modernizing production facilities and introducing new technologies simultaneously with keeping up with international standards.
These problems link to the high demands on manufacturers in terms of quality control and international standards. In other words, the electronics industry must ensure that they offer high-quality products while maintaining an innovative approach to maintain their competitiveness.
In terms of innovation, Austrian companies follow a twin-core strategy: one aimed at producing high-value added components and another aimed at producing innovative technologies.
1. AT&S
AT&S is a company that supplies high-precision electronic assemblies and systems for the semiconductor industry. It is one of the most important suppliers of electronic components for the semiconductor industry in Austria. The company provides many electronic components, such as microwave sending units, oscillators, filters, and passive components.
The Fabrication Capabilities:
The AT&S knife-edged precision assembly machinery is essential for the highest levels of quality and safety. The machine has a high-precision electromagnetic device with a close control system that achieves the highest quality and safety. Components are cut accurately to sizes, positioned exactly in their places, and welded accurately to best ensure that they meet the manufacturer’s requirements.
The company offers three types of electronic components for electronic assembly: insulated multilayer ceramic (IMC) components such as chip capacitors and thermistors; high-seal metal oxide semiconductor (HPMOS) components such as metal oxide varistors (MOVs); and precise glass packages that we use to manufacture the ultra-small component.
The company currently has two production lines: one for the production of precision components and the other for assembling such components. The company was founded in 1986 in Vienna and had its headquarters in Austria.
2. ELLWEST PCB GmbH
ELLWEST PCB GmbH (EPCB) is the leading producer of printed circuit boards. EPCB has a team of more than 500 employees in its Austrian factories located in Vienna and St. Pölten. In addition to printed circuit boards, the company also manufactures printed materials such as heat-shrink materials and cables. EPCB also has many customers, such as IT companies, electronics manufacturers, and instrument makers that include Rayming PCB & Assembly.
The products:
EPCB provides a wide range of printed circuit boards mainly used in the electronics industry. These include board-to-board assemblies, thermally conductive boards, multilayer boards, and foam plates. The company also offers a wide range of materials such as copper, aluminum, copper alloy, solder pastes, adhesives, transparent adhesive films, and special heat-shrinkable materials.
The business model that the company operates on includes a range of processes: diagnostics, stress testing and repair, assembly, soldering, and packaging. The company also continuously applies new techniques such as hot air soldering to improve its efficiency further.
EPCB is a highly versatile company with a continuous focus on new challenges. For example, EPCB has recently introduced an electronic component called FlexiBoards®. These electronic components include a high level of flexibility, and we can use them with any other electronic component.
3. KÖNIG & MAYER
KÖNIG & MAYER is one of the largest suppliers of integrated circuits and electronics components in Europe. The company has been operating in the field since 1955 and has its headquarters in Austria. Currently, it produces more than 200,000 products each year for its customers.
The product portfolio:
KÖNIG & MAYER boasts a wide range of expertise in the electronics industry. In terms of integrated circuits, the company produces various components such as reed relays, transistors, and thyristors. The company also manufactures power supply products such as transformers and induction coils.
The business model operated by KÖNIG & MAYER involves using automated production facilities for all stages of the process. This is due to the high level of automation that we can achieve in this field. The company also produces its printed circuits and chooses its components based on their quality and performance.
Fabrication Capabilities
KÖNIG & MAYER has five different production facilities in Austria and the Czech Republic equipped with high-precision machining and processing machines. The company also employs more than 1,000 engineers and technicians in each factory.
4. gfi – Gesellschaft für Industrieelektronik mbH
GFI is a leading provider in the field of industrial electronics. The company is based in Vienna and has been operating since 1965. GFI has more than 1,000 employees and provides electronic components, electronic assemblies, and systems to the electronics industry. GFI has more than 20 subsidiaries spread across Europe, the United States, and Asia.
The product portfolio:
GFI provides a wide range of products in commercial and industrial applications that we can use. In terms of integrated circuits, the company produces various products such as oscillators and amplifiers. In addition, we use the products that gfi produces in transport, medical technology, and homeland security applications. These include ICs for functionality such as ARINC-429, ARINC-561, ARINC-620, and Datalink 615. The company also provides Open Channel Power Supply (OCPS) components used to improve power consumption in industrial equipment and automotive technologies.
The business model operated by gfi involves a highly automated production process. The company has several different manufacturing companies involved in the production of products. These companies are equipped with the latest automation machinery and include metal-reinforced plastic injection molding machines.
PCB board: gfi has been producing PCB boards for more than 40 years. Currently, the company has two different production facilities in Austria equipped with a fully automated SMT machine for surface-mount technology (SMT) and wave soldering machines. In terms of the manufacturing process, the company uses new techniques such as laser wave soldering to diminish the impact of environmental factors while keeping costs low.
Material: The FR4 material used by gfi comes from Austria and China. The company can produce FR4 with a thickness of between 1.0 and 4.5mm and can use copper alloys for various applications.
5. Haeusermann GmbH – Advanced Materials
HAUSERMANN GmbH is an Austrian company that provides industrial electronics to the global market. The company was founded in 1994 and has produced integrated circuits and electronic assemblies since it began operating.
The product portfolio:
HAUSERMANN GmbH offers a wide range of products used in applications. In terms of integrated circuits, the company produces different transistors for different applications. In addition, the company also produces
The business model operated by HAEUSERNMANN GmbH involves automated production facilities. The company’s factories have metal-reinforced plastic injection molding machines.
Material: HAEUSERNMANN GmbH uses a range of different materials to produce its products. Their most popular material is FR4, then laminated with copper to produce layers.
Board Thickness: HAEUSERNMANN GmbH produces PCB boards with a thickness of between 0.031 to 0.125 inches.
Layers: HAEUSERNMANN GmbH uses a wide range of layers in the PCB board production process. The company has two different production facilities equipped with automated and manual SMT machines.
PCB Board: HAEUSERNMANN GmbH produces its PCB boards in two different ways. The company has a fully automated SMT machine and uses manual surface mount technology (SMT). The company layers electrically insulated glass epoxy (EIG) and FR4 on top of copper with organic tin compounds in the production process. The PCB boards produced have a thickness of between 0.040 and 0.125 inches and are color-coded for easier identification.
6. LP Leiterplatte24 Vertriebs GmbH
LP Leiterplatte24 Vertriebs GmbH is a supplier of PCBs that are based in Austria. The company is one of only 35 PCB producers based in Europe and started operations in 1991. LP Leiterplatte24 has four different manufacturing facilities in Austria equipped with fully automated SMT machines.
The Product portfolio:
LP Leiterplatte24 provides a wide range of products that we can use for various applications. In terms of integrated circuits, the company produces different types of transistors and other components used to produce different electronic structures.
LP Leiterplatte24 Vertriebs GmbH focuses on PCB boards with a thickness of between 0.025 to 0.25 inches, used in different applications such as industrial equipment and medical devices. In addition to its PCB board products, the company also provides SMT and Board level testing services.
LP Leiterplatte24 Vertriebs GmbH produces boards with up to 14 layers in the production process. The company has a wide range of different Austria facilities equipped with fully automated SMT machines for surface-mount technology. In terms of the production process, the company layers a material such as FR4 on a copper base plate with organic tin compounds. This provides a product thickness between 0.030 and 0.25 inches.
Material: LP Leiterplatte24 Vertriebs GmbH uses different materials when producing its PCB boards. For example, it uses FR4 as the base material for its boards. However, the company also uses different materials for different applications.
LP Leiterplatte24 Vertriebs GmbH uses various materials in the production process that depend on the application used.
Tolerances: LP Leiterplatte24 Vertriebs GmbH has a very strict tolerance level for its PCB boards and products. The company’s standard tolerance level is within 0.003mm, making its products very accurate. In addition, the board thickness and layers adhere to very strict tolerances by the company.
7. Malachit GmbH
Malachit GmbH is a German company that produces PCBs used in several applications. The company has three different production facilities across Europe, equipped with automated SMT machines for surface-mount technology (SMT).
The Product portfolio:
Malachit GmbH produces a wide range of PCB products with different types of functions. Some examples include ICs, electronic assemblies, and interconnect boards in manufactured products. In addition, the company also produces custom PCB boards that are unique to the application used.
The business model operated by Malachit GmbH involves using automated production facilities. The company’s factories have fully automated SMT machines for surface-mount technology (SMT), which enable the production of PCB boards and ICs. In terms of the PCB process, the number of layers and precise thicknesses are crucial to the quality of the manufactured product. For example, the company layers a material such as FR4 on top of a copper base plate with organic tin compounds to provide a product thickness between 0.030 and 0.25 inches.
Material: Malachit GmbH uses various materials when producing its PCB boards and even different materials for different applications. Some examples include FR4, BGA, PGAs (packaged goods assembly), gold-plated copper, and different plastics based on the application used.
Malachit GmbH also verifies its products at every production stage to ensure that the final product meets all quality requirements for the required application used.
8. ODIST
The ODIST is a French company that develops, manufactures, and sells PCBs. The company was founded in 2010, although it had its roots in the PCB production business in 2007. The ODIST has three different production facilities equipped with automated SMT machines for surface-mount technology (SMT).
Company portfolio:
The ODIST offers a wide range of products that we can use for different applications. For example, the company makes SMT boards and components for radio-frequency identification (RFID), magnetic assemblies, and electrical testing. The company also produces its PCB products with a thickness of between 0.04 to 0.125 inches, in line with the Europen Conformity Testing Standard (CJAC).
The ODIST has a fully automated SMT machine facility based in France. The company has also set up production lines in Brazil, China, and Mexico.
Material: ODIST uses various materials when producing their PCBs and components. For example, the company uses different grades of Germanium to produce different types of signal and power management applications. In addition to using different materials for its products, the ODIST also uses advanced technologies to manufacture its products in-house that are not possible using the conventional production processes.
The ODIST layers a material such as FR4 on top of a copper base plate with organic tin compounds in the specific production process. We do this to provide a product thickness between 0.030 and 0.25 inches.
Tolerances: ODIST has very strict tolerances when producing its PCBs and components. The company’s standard tolerance level is within 0.003 millimeters, which means that all ODIST manufacturing facilities can efficiently manage such tolerances. In addition, the company uses a strict quality control process to meet all the required production standards for each application used.
9. PIU-PRINTEX GmbH
This is a German company specializing in the production of printable PCBs. The company operates across two locations, both equipped with fully automated SMT machines for surface-mount technology (SMT).
Company portfolio:
PIU-PRINTEX GmbH produces a wide range of brand-name printable PCBs for different applications. Some examples include electronic assemblies and interconnect boards. In addition, the company also produces custom PCB boards that are unique to the application used.
The business model involves the use of automated production facilities. The company’s factories have fully automated SMT machines for surface-mount technology (SMT), which enable the production of PCB boards and ICs. In terms of the PCB process, the number of layers and precise thicknesses are crucial to the quality of the manufactured product.
Assembly Type: PIU-PRINTEX GmbH has a strict tolerance level for its PCB boards and products. The company’s standard tolerance level is within 0.003mm, making its products very accurate. In addition, the board thickness and layers adhere to very strict tolerances by the company. The company layers a material such as FR4 on top of a copper base plate with organic tin compounds to provide a product thickness between 0.030 and 0.25 inches.
Soldering Type: PIU-PRINTEX GmbH uses different assembly types for PCBs and components. The company’s standard soldering process involves using a paste and involves reflow soldering.
10. wtronic – electronic production gmbh
wtronic is a German company that produces PCBs, electronic components, and SMD printed circuit boards. The company is in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. The wtronic is a young company that started in 2000.
The company’s mission is “We plan globally, produce locally and act accordingly.”
The company produces PCBs, electronic components, and SMD printed circuit boards for different applications like Smart Energy Management, Industrial Automation, Industry 4.0, and IoT (Internet of Things).
wtronic produces PCBs used for lighting technology, temperature control, and even sensors. The company’s products come in varied forms and sizes, such as robust rigid-flex circuits, large-area flex circuits, multilayer boards, and even a small PCB, which is usually called a small board.
The company also produces SMD printed circuit boards enclosed in plastic cases and modules that enable customers to incorporate them with the customer’s application.
11. Liebig Industries
St. Michael, Austria, is where we can find Liebig Industries. The company was founded half a century ago, in 1963. Liebig Industries makes a wide range of products used for electronics, electronics, and PCB.
PCBs:
Liebig Industries produces various PCBs that we can use for various applications. For example, the company makes PCBs that we can use for high-frequency applications and low power circuit boards. The company also makes custom PCB boards and multilayer structures with more than two layers.
Material:
Liebig Industries uses copper as the base material for their PCBs. The company puts the copper through a unique process that provides an excellent combination of properties, such as electromagnetic shielding and thermal conductivity. Liebig uses different materials for its PCBs and products to provide the best solution for each application.
Soldering Type: Liebig Industries has strict soldering tolerances when producing PCBs and components. The company’s standard soldering process involves using a paste and involves reflow soldering.
12. HIG Handel mit Industriegstern GmbH
HIG is a German company that produces a wide range of PCBs and SMDs (Surface Mount Devices). You will find it in Vienna, Austria. HIG produces PCBs, printed circuit boards, and SMDs for the industrial and automotive electronics industry.
We can use the company’s products for applications such as Industrial Automation, Smart Industry 4.0, telecommunications, and Consumer Electronics.
HIG also makes custom PCB boards for customers who have a specific requirement for their product. These custom PCBs can meet the client’s requirements, ensuring that they do not get a product that does not fit their needs.
The company’s products consist of different materials, and we can use them at different temperatures. The HIG process ensures that the components are installed in the best way to ensure that their characteristics are effective and follow the customer’s needs.
Conclusion
Austria is the most technologically advanced place for PCB manufacturing in the world. Companies in the country can produce PCBs used for different applications such as industrial applications, consumer electronics, and smart industry 4.0. The companies also produce custom PCB boards and components to meet specific requirements and specifications of the customer’s applications. Regarding PCB manufacturing and production, Austria is also a global leader.
