When people think of shortages in electronics, they usually think of semiconductors. But the next shortage may arise one level deeper: in the materials from which printed circuit boards are made. Base material, prepregs, copper foils and glass fabric were long considered to be available at any time. This is now changing.
What is changing in the market
The growing worldwide demand for AI servers and data centres is tying up more and more production capacity. These applications require large circuit boards with many layers and high-quality materials. Less is left for standard applications. The entire industry is feeling the consequences: supply bottlenecks and restrictions for individual materials, longer lead times, rising prices and less planning security.
The lowest unit price alone therefore no longer secures the ability to deliver. What matters is how well a supply chain is prepared when availability or prices change at short notice.
What this means for our customers
As an owner-managed manufacturer, we produce all our circuit boards ourselves in Lamspringe, without subcontracting and without imports. We have been working closely and trustfully with several suppliers of base material for many years. As a result, the supply of standard FR4 material is currently secured.
To make sure it stays that way in challenging times, we rely on close cooperation:
- Talk to us early: The earlier we know quantities, dates and your requirements, the better we can plan material.
- Review alternatives together: If a material becomes scarce, we look for technically equivalent options with you, ideally already at the design and panelisation stage.
- Communicate openly: We inform you at an early stage if lead times or prices change, so that you can act in good time.
Supply security is not a task that purchasing or the supplier can solve alone. It arises where customer and PCB manufacturer work together early and as partners. This is exactly what we have stood for for more than 50 years.
Talk to us early – we will coordinate materials and dates with you.