“We have not scaled back in China,” clarifies Torger Edland, Sales Manager at Confidee. “However, with our focus on the defense market, it has become increasingly important to ensure that these products are not manufactured in China.”
Shift Towards European Production
According to Edland, the trend toward European production has been accelerating since the pandemic, driven by strategic considerations and cost factors. Additionally, for certain sectors, manufacturing in China is no longer an option. This applies particularly to defense, communication, and power electronics.
European Capabilities and Supply Chain Strategies
“European PCB factories meet high standards in both technology and quality, but they currently face challenges with lead times. That’s why we also collaborate with suppliers in other Asian countries, such as Taiwan, Singapore, and South Korea,” says Edland.
The Rise of the Space Industry
For Confidee, regulatory compliance and information security are critical, making defense and aviation key sectors. However, the space industry has also emerged as an exciting growth area. While Norway does not have a large space sector, Edland sees significant potential and already has Norwegian projects in the order book.
Strengthening Presence in Denmark
Confidee has recently joined the newly established Space Denmark, an organization dedicated to uniting and strengthening the Danish space industry. Denmark’s aerospace sector has seen rapid growth in both development and production. As a supplier to several Danish aerospace and defense companies, Confidee aims to contribute with its expertise in printed circuit boards.
Securing Supply Chains in a Digital World
Ensuring secure supply chains and protecting sensitive data from cyber threats are top priorities in today’s interconnected industrial landscape. These concerns are especially critical in the space industry. Confidee’s participation in industry-specific organizations aligns with its focus on security, underscored by its recent ISO 27001 certification and its previous AS9120 certification.
ESA-Approved Manufacturing
“We also work with ESA-approved (European Space Agency) factories, which enables us to support customers in the space and aviation sectors. In aviation, for example, the drone industry has become a major player,” says Edland. “We actively participate in exhibitions and conferences to strengthen our presence in these industries.”
The Importance of Relationship Building
As the global landscape grows more complex, suppliers are playing an increasingly strategic role. “There has been a significant shift from simply supplying PCBs. Today, building strong relationships is crucial, and it takes time and effort to establish trust with major customers,” Edland emphasizes.
The Power of Collaborative Partnerships
“In many cases, partnerships have evolved beyond traditional customer-supplier relationships. There is also a growing trend of triangular collaboration between the product owner, contract manufacturer, and us. This approach ensures the selection of the right technology, process, and factory, leading to faster and more effective outcomes,” concludes Edland.
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