Mapping the Electronics and Electrical Equipment Sector in Scotland

Scotland has a global reputation for excellence in the electronics industry with over 50 years of electronics manufacturing experience. Ever since Ferranti, NCR Corporation and IBM established bases in the 40’s and 50’s, the Scottish Electronic manufacturing sector (or Silicon Glen) grew to such an extent that at its peak, produced approximately 30% of Europe's PCs, 80% of its workstations, 65% of its ATMs and a significant percentage of its integrated circuits. [1]

However, since the growth of low-cost high-volume manufacturing overseas, Silicon Glen has seen a marked decline in its manufacturing output. Despite this, the industry still comprises of around 900 companies, employing 55,000 people working in research, development and production across a number of sectors.

Scottish companies have reinvented themselves as high-end electronics producers as oppose to high-volume manufacturers, specialising in a number of emerging industries such as CleanTech, Microelectronics, Nanotechnology, Optoelectronics, and Wellness tech amongst others.

AP Benson was commissioned by Zero Waste Scotland to complete an investigation into the supply chain of the electronic and electrical equipment (EEE) products in Scotland. AP Benson mapped all 900 companies in Scotland, from the manufacturers of components or products, to end retailers and distributors. The study looked at the purchasing influence of each category of organisation in the supply chain as well as the influence over product resource efficiency and durability.  

Zero Waste Scotland helps individuals, businesses and communities to reduce waste, recycle more and use resources sustainably.

AP Benson is a management and economic development consultancy with offices in Cardiff, London, Birmingham and Reading. Since the company's formation it has provided services to the public and private sector in a range of fields including developing business models, economic feasibility studies, project evaluation, business development and IT Transformation.