And 6–8 weeks of transit – data, values, and responsibility outside of direct control.
The global networking of the electronics industry is facing a turning point.
Political instability and fragile trade routes are forcing OEMs to question the model of pure unit-cost optimization overseas. Anyone manufacturing in Europe today regains control over their value chain.
A decisive factor is the logistical transit times. Six to eight weeks of ocean freight not only tie up massive capital in floating warehouses, but also drain the company of any agility.
According to studies by the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation (IPA), supply chain resilience is increasingly becoming a critical competitive advantage.
Short transport routes within Europe minimize the risk of supply disruptions and drastically reduce the capital commitment period. This enables companies to react immediately to market changes instead of waiting for goods that are still weeks away from their destination.
It would be incorrect to claim that regional production eliminates all language barriers. However, the cultural and legal overlap within the European Economic Area massively simplifies the resolution of technical issues.
While differences overseas often lead to months of iteration loops, the physical proximity and working within similar time zones enable immediate, solution-oriented collaboration.
This secures technological sovereignty and protects intellectual property through uniform standards such as the GDPR.
With the introduction of the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and the upcoming requirements for the Digital Product Passport (DPP), documentation obligations for OEMs are increasing.
Manufacturing in Europe guarantees compliance with the highest environmental and social standards (ESG) virtually "by design". This not only reduces liability risks, but also meets the expectations of modern markets for sustainable and transparent production.
The move back to Europe is therefore not a trend, but an economic necessity: anyone manufacturing here invests targetedly in planning security, liquidity, and long-term resilience.