Semiconductor obsolescence is becoming a structural problem
The gap between how long electronics manufacturers need their products to last and how long component makers are willing to keep producing them is widening. For industries like aerospace, medical and defence – where a product can be in service for twenty or thirty years – the shift toward consumer-driven semiconductor lifecycles is creating a slow-moving crisis that is only now getting the attention it deserves.
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Kitron to build new factory in Denmark
Kitron plans to build a new 8,850 square-metre factory for its Danish operations in Horsens, replacing its current site in the same city. Construction is expected to begin in January 2027, with the facility ready for operation in early 2028.
Lyten selected as preferred bidder for Morrow Batteries
Lyten, the US company that acquired the assets of bankrupt Swedish battery maker Northvolt earlier this year, has been selected as preferred bidder for the business of Norwegian battery manufacturer Morrow Batteries. Morrow entered bankruptcy in May 2026 and a memorandum of understanding was signed on August 21.
Kioxia and Sandisk bet $31 billion on NAND flash as AI demand surges
Kioxia and Sandisk have announced anticipated investments in Japan totalling over USD 31 billion – approximately 5 trillion yen – contingent on government support. The investments, running through 2032, will support continued expansion of the companies' joint venture manufacturing operations at the Yokkaichi and Kitakami plants.
Lear to shut down production in Gründau, cutting 180 jobs
US automotive supplier Lear Corporation plans to cease production at its facility in Gründau, Germany, relocating manufacturing to Slovakia, Serbia and Tunisia. Around 180 jobs will be lost, with the phase-out expected to begin immediately and complete by mid-2027. Approximately 120 engineering positions will remain at the site, according to IG Metall.
Kitron opens new production facility in Norway as defence demand surges
Kitron has officially opened its new production facility at Longum outside Arendal in Norway, adding approximately 7,500 square metres of manufacturing space. Together with the existing Kilsund site nearby, the two facilities employ approximately 550 people.
PCB material shortage spreads to standard FR-4 as structural shift deepens
The PCB industry's material shortage is no longer confined to advanced laminates. According to a market update from Norwegian PCB supplier Confidee, the shortage has now spread to standard FR-4 and thicker copper-clad laminates – and conditions are not expected to ease through 2026 or into 2027.
TTM Technologies acquires Epiq Solutions for $1.1 billion
TTM Technologies has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Epiq Design Solutions, a provider of software-defined radios, high-performance RF products and space compute solutions for defence and signals intelligence applications. The all-cash purchase price is USD 1.1 billion.
Confidee's answer to shortages: full transparency and the freedom to cancel orders
As material shortages push lead times for advanced printed circuit boards towards 2028, four-year-old PCB supplier Confidee has built its strategy around the opposite of locking customers into rigid commitments: complete transparency and a clear policy allowing customers to cancel or rebalance production without damaging the relationship. That is according to board member Didrik Bech.
AI data centres are consuming PCBs – Chinese lead times stretch to 2028
In an interview with Evertiq, Didrik Bech, board member of PCB supplier Confidee, described how the AI infrastructure boom is creating an unprecedented demand for materials, resulting in supply shortages that could reshape market conditions across several European industries.
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