Technological Implications of Restructuring in the European PCB Industry

The EEC Nation States' 1992 Single Market awareness campaigns have achieved their objectives. The underlying EEC policies have ignited a fuse which will lead to an increase of Corporate Activity in the European PCB Industry. Having witnessed a rash of OEM activity including acquisitions, disposals and equity swaps there is now the feeling of the pace quickening in the PCB industry. This short paper looks at the technological implications of PCB Industry restructuring on a European scale and provides at least a taste of the larger global restructuring of which it is a part. The paper first views the European Electronics Industry restructuring and the types of deals involved, then analyses some recent PCB Industry activity before going on to draw some implications for the Technical and Production Manager. The other option, Organic growth, is not covered in this article as it is felt the reader will be more aware of this route to growth.