Altus Sees Record Start to 2026 as UK And Ireland Electronics Sector Gains Momentum
April 20, 2026 | Altus GroupEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Altus Group has reported its strongest first quarter on record, continuing the positive momentum seen throughout 2025, as electronics manufacturers across the UK and Ireland increase investment in production capacity and capability.
Altus recorded growth across a broad customer base during Q1, with activity spread across multiple technologies and suppliers. The performance reflects a wider uplift in confidence across the region, particularly within EMS-dominated markets where flexibility and sector diversity support more stable demand.
Joe Booth, CEO at Altus, said: “Our Q1 performance has been driven by a wide range of customers investing across different process areas, rather than a small number of large projects. That level of activity suggests increasing confidence in order books and a willingness to commit to capital investment over the next one to four years.”
While the UK and Ireland are not traditionally seen as leading global manufacturing regions, recent activity indicates a shift. In the UK, continued investment in defence and defence-related technologies is contributing to increased demand for high-reliability electronics manufacturing. Growth in areas such as communications systems is also supporting production, driven by the need for connectivity across increasingly complex applications.
In Ireland, strength in medical technology manufacturing remains a key driver. The combination of a skilled workforce, established multinational presence, and strategic access to UK, EU and US markets continues to support ongoing investment in electronics production.
Joe said: “We are seeing a consistent level of demand across the UK and Ireland, which reflects the underlying strength of the region’s electronics manufacturing base. The diversity of the EMS market, combined with growth in sectors such as defence and medical, is creating a more resilient environment for investment.”
Alongside market factors, Altus has continued to invest in its internal capabilities to support customers. This includes expansion of its aftersales team, enhancements to its demonstration facilities, and a more regionally structured approach to account management, providing dedicated engineering support and improving responsiveness.
The company has also strengthened its portfolio of equipment suppliers, enabling it to support a wider range of manufacturing processes and position itself as a single-source partner for electronics production equipment. This has all contributed to a strong start to the year.
Testimonial
"In a year when every marketing dollar mattered, I chose to keep I-Connect007 in our 2025 plan. Their commitment to high-quality, insightful content aligns with Koh Young’s values and helps readers navigate a changing industry. "
Brent Fischthal - Koh YoungSuggested Items
ASMPT Wins JSD as New Distributor
04/21/2026 | ASMPTWith this cooperation, ASMPT is increasing its presence in one of the most dynamic electronics manufacturing regions of the country while improving the support options for its local customers.
Horizon Sales Adds LPKF Laser and Electronics to Its Lineup
04/21/2026 | Horizon SalesHorizon Sales, a leading manufacturers’ representative and distributor to the electronics industry, is pleased to announce a new partnership with LPKF Laser and Electronics, a global leader in precision laser technology
EDIP Opens the Door: EU Funding Now Available for Defence Electronics Including PCBs and Substrates
04/21/2026 | Alison James and Chris Mitchell, Global Electronics AssociationThe European Commission has published a call for proposals under the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), and for European electronics manufacturers the message is clear: this is real money for real capacity, and PCBs and IC substrates are explicitly in scope. EDIP's Industrial Reinforcement Actions (IRA) dedicate €122.25 million to key electronic components, covering guidance electronics, propulsion electronics, RF and laser modules, multispectral cameras, avionics, PCBs and IC substrates, lithium-ion polymer batteries, power electronics, and critical semiconductor building blocks
Women in Technology: Learning to Just Be Myself
04/21/2026 | Michelle Te, I-Connect007Approximately 100 women and a handful of men gathered for a Women in Electronics evening event at APEX EXPO. As I wandered among the tables before it started, I stopped to chat with several women all wearing purple and white polo shirts emblazoned with the TTM logo. It turns out they are part of TTM’s Women in Technology Group, so I sat down and invited them to share their thoughts on coming to the event and what it means to be part of the electronics industry.
Advanced Electronics Packaging at APEX EXPO with Matt Kelly
04/20/2026 | Real Time with... APEX EXPOThe first advanced electronics packaging conference at APEX EXPO 2026 was well-received this year with an engaged audience. Matt Kelly, CTO of the Global Electronics Association, says the expanded focus on component and system-level integration fosters unprecedented collaboration across the industry. Also new this year were the Design Pavilion and Technology Theater, which brought commercial value to technical discussions and highlighted the critical role of timely standards development in rapidly evolving sectors such as AI and automotive.