TCL (Europe) Elektronika KFT is a leading European Printed Circuit Board supplier with offices in both Hungary and Spain. The company is part of the larger TCL company, based in the UK, that has over 60 years of PCB engineering, manufacturing and logistics experience.
What are the main areas of activity of the company?
TCL provides a full printed circuit board supply service, supporting customers from initial design data through to final delivery. Every project is assessed to match the best production route, balancing volume, lead-time, and cost. Manufacturing takes place either in our European facility or through long-standing partners in Asia.
A team of 18 PCB CAD engineers underpins the process, checking every design and advising on Design for Manufacture to ensure efficiency and reliability. For projects routed to Asia, our own staff in Hong Kong and mainland China oversee engineering, quality control, and logistics, giving customers confidence in consistent standards and dependable supply. When speed or local sourcing is the priority, production is managed within Europe for shorter lead-times and closer customer support.
This flexible approach means customers benefit from both the economies of Far East production and the responsiveness of European manufacturing, with TCL acting as a single, accountable partner throughout.
TCL supplies the full spectrum of PCB technologies, from standard FR4 materials to advanced solutions for specialist applications. Engineers developing high-power products are turning to us for boards designed to withstand the heat and demands of modern power electronics. At the other end of the scale, we are seeing rising interest in compact flexible boards to support IoT devices and connected systems.
What’s the news about new products/services?
There is also a clear shift in demand for European-only production, particularly from Defence, security, and medical customers. We are well placed to meet this requirement, with our group holding Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation to assure data and supply chain security.
Alongside technology, service models are evolving. More customers are choosing consignment stock agreements. We manufacture several months of stock in Asia, ship it to Europe by sea, and hold it in our warehouse or at the customer’s site. The stock is drawn down as needed, with payment made only when it is used. This approach offers lower costs, reliable availability, and reduced airfreight emissions.
What are the ranges of products/services?
TCL offers a broad portfolio of PCB technologies to meet diverse application needs. These include FR4 boards, HDI, boards for RF and microwave designs, metal clad and copper coin solutions for thermal management, flexible and flex-rigid circuits, heavy copper boards for power electronics, and ceramic substrates for specialist applications.
Customers can choose European production for local support and shorter lead-times, or Far East manufacturing with delivery by sea, consolidated airfreight, or express airfreight depending on urgency. Beyond manufacturing, we provide tailored supply chain services such as inventory buffering, Kanban systems, schedule sharing, re-order point management, and consignment stock agreements.
This combination of technical capability and supply flexibility allows TCL to serve industries with both complex engineering demands and strict supply requirements.
What is the state of the market where you are currently active?
Analysts often highlight the steady decline of European PCB manufacturing, with far fewer facilities operating today than a decade ago. Despite this, the European EMS market remains substantial, as do OEMs producing their own assemblies. A recent survey even predicts modest growth of 0.9% in the second half of 2025.
TCL is well positioned in this environment. Through our Far East supply chain, we provide non-European cost levels while managing engineering, quality, and logistics in-house. This allows customers to benefit from competitive pricing without the risk or complexity of managing overseas production.
We are also seeing encouraging momentum from new and innovative start-ups, which has created fresh opportunities in what is otherwise a challenging market. This mix of established demand and emerging business is driving confidence in continued growth for TCL.
What can you tell us about market trends?
It’s a complicated market. Some are now looking for the security of European-only production and others are starting to seek partnerships that can offer the commercial benefits of Far East products without the issues of trying to deal direct with a distant supplier.
In respect to product, EV and Power Electronics in general remains a driver.
What are the most innovative products/services marketed?
Innovation at TCL takes two forms: advanced product capability and flexible supply models. On the product side, our European facility is at the forefront of power electronics. We are the leading European producer of heavy copper boards designed for high current applications, as well as PCBs with advanced thermal management features. These technologies are vital for industries moving toward higher power and greater efficiency.
On the service side, our supply solutions stand out. Consignment stock agreements are proving particularly valuable. Customers gain the cost benefits of large-scale production while paying only when stock is drawn down over an agreed period. This approach reduces costs, secures supply, and aligns cash flow with production needs.
By combining technical innovation with service innovation, TCL gives customers a clear advantage in a market where many suppliers are narrowing their focus.
What estimations do you have for the second half of 2025?
We see strong prospects for the second half of 2025 and into 2026. Our combination of advanced product capability and flexible supply options continues to set us apart, giving customers reliable solutions in a market where choice is narrowing.
The momentum we are building with innovative start-ups, alongside our established customer base, adds further confidence. While the wider European PCB market faces structural challenges, TCL is positioned for growth by offering what others cannot: technical excellence, supply chain assurance, and a proven ability to deliver in both Europe and Asia.
For us, the outlook is not only stable but positive, with real opportunities to expand our role as a trusted PCB partner for the years ahead.
