Global Electronics Association Releases 2026 European EMS Report and Assumes Ownership of in4ma's European EMS and PCB Data Programs

Association publishes latest European EMS market findings and carries forward the pioneering work of Dieter G. Weiss and in4ma—with Weiss's continued partnership and counsel

 

The Global Electronics Association today released the "Annual Survey of the European EMS Industry 2026" and announced it is assuming guidance and insight of the in4ma European EMS and PCB statistical programs. The report is the first edition produced under the Association's expanded research operation, marking a new chapter that builds directly on the distinguished body of work Dieter G. Weiss and Michael Gasch created over many decades.

Key Findings: European EMS Market in 2025

The 2025 survey—covering 397 companies representing nearly 31% of total European EMS production—reports a 2.9% revenue decline. Countries with a strong automotive focus (Austria, France, Germany) saw the steepest drops; the Baltics, Poland, the Balkans, and the Nordics proved more resilient. Headcount fell 3.9% on average (3,445 jobs), with most reductions in Western Europe following 2024 cuts in the East.

Segment outlook:

  • Industrial electronics show early recovery signals
  • Automotive electronics remain largely flat
  • Smart home, lighting, and building electronics improved moderately
  • Aerospace and defense demand is rising but partly stays in-house at OEMs

Profitability stabilized or improved for many companies despite lower revenues. Sentiment for 2026 points to modest improvement, not a strong rebound, with European growth expected to trail Asia's 20%+ annual expansion.

The full report is available on the Global Electronics Association online store. All individual company submissions remain strictly confidential; the published analysis contains only aggregated figures and publicly disclosed data. The full report is complimentary to companies who participated in the survey.

European EMS and PCB Data Programs Transition to Association

The European EMS market statistics were conceived, designed, and continuously refined by Weiss and his team at in4ma. Over a long and distinguished career in research and analysis of the European electronics industry, Weiss built the continent's most authoritative source of EMS market data—a resource that hundreds of companies depend on for strategic planning. In 2024, Weiss Engineering also assumed responsibility for the European PCB statistics under the Data4PCB brand, following the unexpected passing of founder Michael Gasch.

With the publication of this year's report, responsibility for both programs formally transfers to the Association, which is committed to honoring the methodological rigor Weiss established while providing institutional backing and global reach to sustain and expand these programs. Within the Association, these data programs will be led by Munich-based Christoph Solka. 

“A robust market statistics program for Europe must be independent of individuals to ensure continuity, said Weiss. “Accordingly, I reached an agreement with the Global Electronics Association last year to embed this program within a larger organization.”

“Sustained visibility into Europe’s EMS market has always depended on disciplined methodology and long-term trust, elements in4ma built exceptionally well. By bringing these programs into the Global Electronics Association, we are preserving continuity while materially expanding the dataset’s reach, frequency, and analytical depth. With Dieter Weiss continuing as an advisor, we are ensuring the integrity of the underlying model remains intact,” said Sanjay Huprikar, the Association’s chief global officer. “The Global Electronics Association is scaling a more integrated industry intelligence capability that is connecting regional data to global end-market signals and supply chain dynamics.”