For a company that from the very beginning has focused on compliance and advanced markets like defence and aerospace, the timing couldn’t have been much better given the world’s current situation. On the other hand, there’s also a growing awareness of security and legal compliance across other sectors.
Scaling Up
“It has been a hectic – and good – year,” says CEO Vidar Olsen, noting that CONFIDEE’s strategy has clearly hit the mark. He highlights a 60% increase in order intake and around 40% growth in invoicing, with expectations of another ~40% revenue increase this year. Olsen remarks that since CONFIDEE is still a small, early-stage company, these growth percentages naturally appear large, but the results of scaling efforts – begun in the second half of last year – are now becoming visible. Hiring is planned for 4–6 new colleagues this year, bringing the team to about 30 employees.
Export Control in Focus
An increasing international emphasis on export control – highlighted, for example, at last year’s EU Export Control Forum – aligns exactly with CONFIDEE’s core business. According to CONFIDEE, export control should be treated as a strategic responsibility both by governments and by companies. “Enhanced export control is generally important, but equally important are the right partners in the countries you interact with,” says Olsen, who believes CONFIDEE can offer strong support in this area.
Venturing into Space
CONFIDEE has joined SME4SPACE, a European organization representing small and medium-sized space sector companies. With certifications like ISO 9001, AS9120 and ISO 27001, the company aims to deliver reliable manufacturing processes designed to meet the most stringent regulatory and cybersecurity requirements. “By joining SME4SPACE we reinforce our commitment to securing Europe’s space supply chain. Space equipment demands absolute precision, trustworthy partners and uncompromising compliance,” comments Vidar Olsen.
New Customer Portal
From the start, CONFIDEE has invested heavily in its IT system (“ID”), which is continuously developed in line with their compliance focus. In December, they tested a new part of this IT structure – a new customer portal designed to make it easier for customers to monitor and manage their own data and compliance parameters securely.
Increasing Awareness
“We are seeing a rise in awareness around compliance, and more companies are raising this themselves,” says Communications Manager Guro Krossen. “Especially in the defence industry, many want to learn how we solve challenges around compliance, data security and IP handling. I think the geopolitical landscape is making many companies rethink how they handle data. It’s critical that data isn’t lost or mishandled along the way.”
A Sensitive Issue
“Everyone now says this is a sensitive issue,” Olsen adds. “That’s why it’s important to continuously build a culture in the company that ensures security at every level – including with customers. We have monthly data security and compliance training. All employees must know the responsibilities, potential consequences, what red flags look like, and how to deal with them.”
Krossen emphasizes: “The entire company must have a compliance base – it’s important that we start with ourselves. This is also why we have on the team a Compliance Manager, a lawyer, to lead the efforts.”
Capacity Challenges in Europe
A challenge concerning deliveries subject to export and import restrictions can sometimes be finding production capacity outside China. In Europe, capacity remains a problem, and Olsen says there’s no short-term solution. “It doesn’t yet seem like there’s sufficient investment appetite to build the needed capacity, although there are some exceptions,” he says, noting TLT in Lithuania as an example of a new PCB facility. To secure production slots, he says, you often now must book capacity well in advance, rather than just plan for it.
Sustainability
Another emerging trend is an increased focus on environmental concerns, with new demands for sustainability and recycling. “PCB disposal is still a major challenge. Tests are being done with new materials, but I believe we’re still some way from regular use. Right now, we need to show that we control CO₂ emissions at every stage. This will only become more important,” says Olsen.
Link to article about SME4SPACE membership.
This article was published in the Norwegian magazine Elektronikk, interview by Einar Karlsen 10.02.2026
Link to original article.
