NIEDERNHALL, GERMANY – Würth Elektronik will close its PCB production plant in Schopfheim, Germany, citing a "dramatic decrease" in orders due to the crisis in the European PCB industry.

The company said the region's economic crisis has reached historic proportions, particularly in the industrial electronics sector, leading to a sharp decline in the number of European PCB manufacturers as orders continue to shift to China and other countries. The situation is also exacerbated by massive increases in energy and personnel costs, as well as the uncertain geopolitical and economic situation worldwide, it said.

The demand from other industries that rely heavily on regional value creation is too low to permanently utilize the capacities of all Würth PCB production facilities, including medical technology and aerospace, the company said.

“Unfortunately, we currently see no alternative to ceasing production in Schopfheim,” said Daniel Klein, managing director of Würth Elektronik Circuit Board Technology. “This measure is necessary to minimize losses and ensure the company’s long-term competitiveness. The cost pressure is highest at our series and standard PCB plant in Schopfheim.”

Future orders will be handled at other Würth Elektronik locations in Germany. The closure affects more than 300 jobs at the facility.

“The management and employee representatives began discussions on October 4, 2024, about a reconciliation of interests and a social plan to cushion the necessary decision with socially acceptable solutions and to support the colleagues," said Würth Elektronik managing director Andreas Gimmer. "Further meetings have been scheduled. There are no concrete results yet.”

Würth said its production sites in Niedernhall and Rot am See, Germany, will focus on industries and applications whose more complex and individual PCBs are manufactured in Europe. Comprehensive services around the PCB will be maintained to accompany customers from the product idea to the finished product.