Made in Europe – not always easy in practice

Perhaps it is an increased focus on joint trade within the EU that lies behind the increased representation of European exhibitors at this year's Elmia Sucontractor. The Estonian Metec Group was back as an exhibitor for the second year in a row to meet both customers and retailers in its Nordic market.

- We see great potential in this trade fair as a regional event. Scandinavia is an important market for us, says Margus Padar, head of sales. 

Focus on subcontractors at the trade fair

A full 96 per cent of Metec Group's business is export-oriented. This involves product development and production in business areas such as machine construction, medical technology, the food industry and automotive. 

- A significant part of our regular business is designing, testing and manufacturing stainless steel accessories for commercial vehicles – lorries, vans and 4x4 pickups – which are sold throughout Europe under the METEC brand. Here at Elmia, however, we are focusing on our subcontracting services, says Margus.

2026 will be a good year

He explains that Metec Group has remained strong in recent years, despite geopolitical challenges.

- We have seen a decline in the automotive and machine construction sectors, but we have been able to fill the gap with projects in other segments, so our situation is stable. And we believe that 2026 will be a good year if nothing dramatic happens on the political front. 

The trend of moving production back from Asia has not been as pronounced in Estonia.

- But we are seeing that our customers are demanding more options today to secure manufacturing, says Margus.

Important to secure European competitiveness

The big challenge, Margus believes, lies in the intense pressure from the EU with regulations that often require companies to adapt quickly.

- This creates a lot of uncertainty when we sign long-term agreements with our customers. For example, there will be new tariffs within CBAM that we don't know how they will affect us, says Margus.

In the long run, this will threaten the competitiveness of European industry, and politicians need to think about this, Margus believes.

- Made in Europe is a good idea politically, but not entirely straightforward in practice.