Energy prices can spike overnight, shipping lanes can become political flashpoints, and suddenly the “normal” electronics supply chain starts to look fragile. I sit down with Alison James, Senior Director for European Government Relations at the Global Electronics Association to talk through what the latest geopolitical tensions could mean for European manufacturing, including the quiet but critical dependencies many people forget, like petrochemicals across the electronics value chain and helium for the semiconductor industry.

From there, we move into the policy engine room: the European Chips Act review and the next proposal expected from the European Commission as part of a broader tech sovereignty package. We unpack why this matters beyond semiconductor fabs, and why printed circuit boards, EMS, IC substrates, and advanced packaging have to be in the conversation if Europe wants real supply chain resilience instead of isolated capacity.

We also dig into the surge in defense-driven demand and what it means that Europe’s first defense industry program explicitly includes electronics capacity building, with funding and a call that names PCBs and IC substrates.

Then we turn to automotive, where EV competition and new “Made In Europe” style procurement rules could reshape sourcing decisions, define what “origin” means, and create tough trade-offs across a global electronics ecosystem. If you care about European electronics manufacturing, industrial strategy, or how policy becomes real constraints and real opportunity, this is a practical roadmap. Subscribe, share this with a colleague, and leave a review with the one policy change you think would help most.

MADE IN EUROPE is a Global Electronics Association podcast hosted by Philip Stoten and produced and published by SCOOP. For more information on Global Electronics Association visit https://www.electronics.org/

Europe's defense industrial base stands at a critical inflection point. Military experts warn we have just three to five years to strengthen Europe's defense capabilities before facing potentially devastating security challenges.

I talked about these trends and the European response with Kitron Group's President and CEO, Peter Nilsson and Managing Director of Kitron AS, Hans Petter Thomassen, who participated in the “Implementation Dialogue on EU Defence” with Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, held in Brussels recently.

The European Commission recognizes this urgency. They've initiated an "omnibus" bill aimed at helping defense manufacturers ramp up production quickly, bringing together industry leaders from major prime contractors to innovative startups developing cutting-edge battlefield technologies. But the challenges are enormous.

Most electronics components, semiconductors, and specialized materials used in European defense systems come from outside the continent. While stockpiling strategic materials for several years provides a short-term solution, the long-term challenge of rebuilding secure supply chains remains daunting. For specialized materials like munitions chemicals, new production facilities require five years just for permitting and environmental studies.

Regional responses vary dramatically across Europe. Countries feeling immediate threat – the Nordics, Baltics, Poland, and Germany – are leading with bold procurement initiatives and defense budgets approaching 5% of GDP. These long-term commitments provide the certainty manufacturers need for major capacity investments.

Perhaps most exciting is the rise of defense technology startups across Eastern Europe. From drone innovations to laser targeting systems, these companies bring battlefield-ready solutions developed with real-world urgency. As one Ukrainian defense official emphasized: "A system you can provide me two years from now has zero interest – I need something for tomorrow."

The war in Ukraine accelerates these trends, serving as both catalyst for action and testing ground for technologies. Defense donation programs deliver immediate battlefield feedback on new systems, strengthening the innovation cycle.

Want to explore how these defense industry transformations might affect your business? Join us at the upcoming IPC defense event in Brussels on June 10th, where industry leaders will be tackling these critical challenges head-on.

MADE IN EUROPE is a Global Electronics Association podcast hosted by Philip Stoten and produced and published by SCOOP. For more information on Global Electronics Association visit https://www.electronics.org/

NOTE: This show was recorded on April 8th, days after President Trump's "Liberation Day" Tariffs had been announced, but before a 90 day pause was applied to those same reciprocal tariffs, apart from those on China. The comments and opinions reflect this point in time.

Sweeping tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical tensions have manufacturers worldwide questioning their next move. What happens when no one can predict tomorrow's trade landscape?

In this premiere episode of MADE IN EUROPE, an IPC Podcast, host Philip Stoten dives deep with Bo Lybaek of GPV Group A/S and Markus Aschenbrenner of Zollner Elektronik AG into the challenges facing EMS companies and their customers as they navigate the unpredictable waters of global trade tensions. Far from just reacting to headlines, these industry leaders reveal their strategic approaches to uncertainty.

"Most important thing is to stay calm, follow what is happening, and be agile when needed," shares Bo Lybaek, capturing the measured response many manufacturers are taking while awaiting clarity. Yet beneath this wait-and-see approach lies sophisticated preparation – from comprehensive supply chain data modeling to strategic global footprint development that has been years in the making and continues to be an imperative.

The conversation reveals how current disruptions are accelerating an existing trend toward "region for region" manufacturing – a localized approach that provides greater resilience against cross-border complications. Both Bo and Markus offer fascinating insights into how they've built truly global operations that maintain agility through shared equipment platforms, standardized processes, and most importantly, consistent corporate culture.

Perhaps most compelling is their perspective on Europe's position in this changing landscape. As Markus Aschenbrenner notes, "We need a strong European Union with real value for others to negotiate with." This includes not just the recently announced infrastructure investments, but critically, reducing bureaucracy that hinders competitiveness.

Join us for this thought-provoking discussion that goes beyond tariff headlines to explore how leading manufacturers are building resilience in uncertain times. Subscribe to MADE IN EUROPE now to hear more insights from European manufacturing leaders in future episodes.

MADE IN EUROPE is a Global Electronics Association podcast hosted by Philip Stoten and produced and published by SCOOP. For more information on Global Electronics Association visit https://www.electronics.org/