What Contag does

CONTAG AG is a family-owned PCB (printed circuit board) manufacturer headquartered in Berlin-Spandau, Germany, founded in 1981 by Andreas Contag. The company specializes in high-mix, low-to-medium volume prototypes and small series of high-tech PCBs, operating 24/7 from a 2,000 m² production facility on a 17,000 m² company-owned site. CONTAG's product portfolio spans seven distinct PCB types — multilayer, HDI-SBU (Sequential Build Up), IMS/metal core, flexible, rigid-flex, stretchable, and 3D-MID — supported by advanced technologies including picosecond-laser microvia drilling (≤150 µm diameter, 532nm wavelength), active and passive component embedding into the PCB stackup, high-frequency and impedance control (≥5% tolerance, PTFE/Rogers/Panasonic Megtron), and thermal management (IMS substrates up to 3.0 W/mK, thick copper up to 400 µm). The company also delivers PCB assembly (SMT/THT), SMD stencil manufacturing, and PCB layout/DfM engineering services.

CONTAG's business model is built on direct, technical-consultation-driven sales to R&D departments of electronics manufacturers in Europe, with a documented speed proposition of 15 minutes to order processing, 8 hours to fabrication completion, and 1 day to delivery. Pricing is quote-based per order, dependent on PCB type, layer count, technology, material, quantity, and turnaround tier, with 30-day net payment terms and no public price list. The company is 100% family-owned, converted from a sole proprietorship to GmbH in 2007 and to AG in 2012, and remains operationally independent with no external investors. As of June 2025, the founder's sons Vivian Contag (COO) and Sören Contag (CFO) joined the board alongside CEO Andreas Contag and CTO Christian Ranzinger, formalizing a generational leadership transition. Notable customers include Dräger Safety AG, Fraunhofer IIS, DigitaLicht AG, LTmemory GmbH, and grue… electronic GmbH, served across electronics R&D, high-tech verticals (5G, IoT, power electronics), and wearable/medical technology segments. CONTAG also maintains close R&D cooperation with Fraunhofer institutes and TU Berlin, and is the recipient of the Berlin Environmental Prize (1999) for being the first European PCB manufacturer to operate completely without wastewater discharge.

Name

Contag

Legal name

CONTAG AG

Website

https://contag.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

CONTAG AG is a family-owned Berlin-based manufacturer of high-tech prototype and small-series printed circuit boards, serving electronics R&D teams across Europe with 24/7 express manufacturing (15-min order processing, 8-hour production, 1-day delivery) and a full technology portfolio spanning HDI, embedding, stretchable, and 3D-MID PCBs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

PCB Manufacturing and Assembly

NAICS

Bare Printed Circuit Board Manufacturing (334412), Printed Circuit Assembly (Electronic Assembly) Manufacturing (334418)

SIC

Printed Circuit Boards (3672)

akta.pro primary industry

PCB Fabrication (Rigid PCBs) (HDAHAOAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

PCB Fabrication (Flex & Rigid-Flex PCBs) (HDAHAOAH), Printed Electronics & Advanced Substrates (HDI, IC Substrates, Embedded Components) (HDAHAOAK), PCB Assembly (PCBA/EMS) (HDAHAOAI)

Keywords

• PCB prototyping
• Express PCB manufacturing
• HDI microvia PCBs
• Small-series PCB production
• Stretchable rigid-flex PCBs

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. PCB Manufacturing (Prototype & Small Series): CONTAG generates revenue primarily through the manufacture and sale of custom printed circuit boards, including multilayer, HDI, flexible, rigid-flex, stretchable, 3D-MID, and IMS/metal core PCBs. Production is organized around rapid prototyping (express) and small series runs, with pricing based on complexity, layer count, technology type, and turnaround speed. Revenue is one-time per order (project-based) for prototypes, with potential recurring orders for series production.
2. PCB Assembly & SMD Services: Services include SMD stencil manufacturing and PCB assembly (PCBA) for prototypes and small series, covering SMT and THT component mounting. Professional assembly services billed as part of the production order.
3. PCB Layout & DfM Engineering: CONTAG offers professional PCB routing and layout services according to Design for Manufacturing (DfM) guidelines, as well as technical feasibility reviews. These engineering services are provided as part of the customer engagement and project support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CONTAG AG manufactures custom printed circuit boards for prototypes and small series on a 24/7 express basis, covering seven PCB families: Multilayer/Basic, HDI-SBU, IMS & Metal Core, Flexible, Rigid-Flex, Stretchable, and 3D-MID. Orders are processed within 15 minutes, fabricated within 8 hours, and delivered within 1 day. Complementary offerings include SMD stencil manufacturing, SMT/THT PCB assembly (PCBA), and professional DfM layout services for electronics R&D departments.

Product overview

CONTAG AG is a family-owned German PCB (printed circuit board) manufacturer offering a comprehensive portfolio of high-tech circuit carriers. The core product line includes seven distinct PCB types: Multilayer/Basic, HDI-SBU, IMS & Metal Core, Flexible, Rigid-Flex, Stretchable, and 3D-MID. These are complemented by three service modules: SMD Stencils, PCB Assembly, and Layout services. The offering is unified under the CONTAG.Live express manufacturing umbrella, which provides 24/7 production capability positioning CONTAG as 'the fastest PCB manufacturer in Europe' with order processing in 15 minutes, completion in 8 hours, and delivery in 1 day. Supporting the core products are advanced manufacturing technologies including Microvia-Technologie (laser/CNC microvia drilling), Embedding-Technologie (active/passive component integration), HF & Impedanz (high-frequency and impedance-controlled PCBs), and Heat & Power (thermal management solutions). The CAM.together service enables live remote collaboration with customers on PCB layout optimization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Multilayer Basic PCBs High-quality single-sided, double-sided, and multilayer PCBs for complex applications, manufactured to the highest standards and available on the CONTAG express production schedule.
• HDI-SBU PCBs High Density Interconnect (HDI) and Sequential Build-Up (SBU) PCBs for maximum packaging density and performance, using laser-drilled microvia technology (≤150µm) with blind, buried, stacked, and staggered via configurations.
• IMS & Metal Core PCBs Insulated Metal Substrate (IMS) and Metal Core PCBs optimized for heat dissipation, ideal for high-power LEDs and power electronics, with thermal conductivity up to 3.0 W/mK, thick copper up to 400µm, and thermal vias/heatsink press-fit options.
• Flexible PCBs Custom flexible PCBs for dynamic and space-saving applications, offering highest bending cycle reliability.
• Rigid-Flex PCBs Rigid-Flex PCBs combining the advantages of rigid and flexible boards, designed for complex three-dimensional assemblies.
• Stretchable PCBs Innovative stretchable (deformable) PCBs for wearables, medical technology, and smart textiles, representing a future-oriented technology for body-conform applications.
• 3D-MID PCBs 3D-MID (Molded Interconnect Devices) integrating electronic and mechanical functions into a single component, offering space-saving and efficient solutions for complex product designs.
• SMD Stencils High-precision SMD (Surface Mount Device) stencils for error-free PCB assembly, custom-made and precisely fitted for reliable delivery alongside CONTAG's PCB and assembly services.
• PCB Assembly (PCBA) Professional PCB assembly (PCBA) for prototypes and small series, providing reliable mounting of SMT and THT components in highest quality, billed as part of the production order.
• PCB Layout / DfM Service Professional PCB routing and layout creation service taking over customer PCB design work following Design for Manufacturability (DfM) guidelines for perfect production, including technical feasibility reviews.
• CONTAG.Live Express Manufacturing Service Express PCB manufacturing service umbrella delivering prototypes and small series with 15-minute order processing, 8-hour fabrication, and 1-day delivery on 24/7 production, positioning CONTAG as the fastest PCB manufacturer in Europe.

Quantifiable outcome

• 15 minutes to order processing, 8 hours to fabrication completion, 1 day to delivery for express orders
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Siemensstadt / Berlin Adlershof Technology ParksminorOthers · 1 January 2025CONTAG participates in Berlin's technology park ecosystems. The company was originally founded near Siemensstadt and participates in events at both Siemensstadt and Adlershof technology parks, both key hubs of Berlin's electronics and technology industry.
• FED (Fachverband für Design, Leiterplatten- und Baugruppenfertigung)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024CONTAG hosts FED's 'Leiterplattendesign in Theorie & Praxis' (PCB Design in Theory & Practice) training course. Dr. Mathias Junginger leads sessions with factory tours. FED is the German industry association for PCB and electronics manufacturing.
• Material-, Chemistry- and Technology Partners (suppliers)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024CONTAG works closely with material suppliers (Isola, Panasonic, Rogers, Ventec for substrates; Peters for solder mask) and technology partners to ensure new requirements are evaluated early and reliably translated into robust manufacturing processes. These partnerships support the company's ability to process specialized HF and high-performance materials.
• Fraunhofer Institute (multiple institutes)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007CONTAG maintains close R&D cooperation with Fraunhofer institutes and TU Berlin to translate latest scientific findings into marketable technologies. Collaboration supports the company's technology leadership in areas such as 5G/6G, quantum computing, biomedical engineering, and satellite communications.
• TU Berlin (Technische Universität Berlin)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007Academic partnership for joint research and development of new PCB technologies. Sören Contag studied Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen (Industrial Engineering) at TU Berlin and developed a modular production control system for CONTAG as his bachelor's thesis. Ongoing academic collaboration supports innovation pipeline.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• AT&S (Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik): Austrian-headquartered global PCB and IC substrate manufacturer listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange, with plants across Europe and Asia. A leading European PCB incumbent serving high-end computing, automotive, and industrial customers with HDI and substrate technologies that overlap with CONTAG's advanced offerings.
• TTM Technologies: US-headquartered global PCB manufacturer with high-mix, quick-turn and high-volume operations across North America and Asia. Competes with CONTAG on quick-turn prototype and aerospace/defense segments where speed and certifications matter, but at much greater scale.
• Unimicron Technology: Taiwanese global PCB and IC substrate leader serving computing, mobile, and automotive OEMs at scale. Comparable in HDI, substrate, and embedding technologies but focused on high-volume production rather than European prototype speed.
• Schweizer Electronic: German PCB manufacturer specializing in high-end multilayer, HDI, and embedded component technologies for automotive, industrial, and aerospace applications. Comparable technology portfolio to CONTAG but with larger scale, automotive focus, and publicly listed status.
• Würth Elektronik (PCB division): Part of the Würth Group, Würth Elektronik is a much larger German electronic component and PCB manufacturer with broad portfolio including multilayer, HDI, flex, and rigid-flex boards. Overlaps with CONTAG in advanced PCB technologies but serves a much wider customer base including volume production.

Emerging players

• JLCPCB: Shenzhen-based rapid-turn PCB and PCBA prototype manufacturer with very low price points and global e-commerce ordering. Competes with CONTAG for price-sensitive prototype orders but lacks the on-shore European speed, traceability, and wastewater-free ESG profile.
• PCBWay: China-based online PCB prototype, small-batch, and assembly service with global shipping and broad technology support. Competes on cost and technology breadth rather than European-local speed and sustainability credentials.

Direct peers

• Eurocircuits: Hungarian-headquartered European PCB prototype and small-series manufacturer with online ordering, pooling service, and rapid-turn capabilities. Most directly comparable to CONTAG in serving European R&D customers with quick-turn prototype PCBs across multiple technology tiers.
• Beta LAYOUT: German PCB prototype, stencil, and small-series manufacturer with online PCB pool service and full assembly offering. Direct competitor in the European DfM-supported, quote-based prototype and small-series segment.
• Multi Circuit Boards (Multi-CB): German PCB prototype and small-batch manufacturer offering express production through an online configurator, headquartered in Eching. Directly competes with CONTAG on speed-to-market for European prototype orders across multilayer, HDI, flex, and rigid-flex technologies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/contag-ag

Compliance11 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Contag