AT&S Expands into Defence Sector with New Focus in Leoben

Defence Industry Expansion AT&S enters defence market with new production focus in Leoben

2025-09-30 Source: Press release 1 min Reading Time

Austrian technology group AT&S, a global leader in IC substrates and printed circuit boards, is expanding into the defence sector. The move responds to rising demand for security-relevant technologies amid growing geopolitical tensions and will be driven from the company’s headquarters in Leoben.

AT&S headquarters in Leoben-Hinterberg, where facilities are being prepared for defence production.(Source: AT&S / Julia Trampusch) — AT&S headquarters in Leoben-Hinterberg, where facilities are being prepared for defence production.
(Source: AT&S / Julia Trampusch)

AT&S announced that its production facilities in Leoben-Hinterberg are being prepared to meet the requirements of the defence industry. The company is currently evaluating structural and technical adjustments needed to comply with international defence production standards. In the medium term, AT&S expects annual revenues in the mid-double-digit million range from the new business area.

“Only when people live in safety can they exercise their rights and live in freedom,” said AT&S CEO Michael Mertin. “Against this background, AT&S has decided to enter the defence market. We have already been approached by customers and will now actively address new clients.”

The decision is based on a long-term strategic outlook: defence contracts provide planning security, involve technologically demanding innovation fields, and are relatively independent of economic cycles. AT&S sees the expansion as a way to strengthen its economic foundation while securing jobs at its Austrian sites.

The company also emphasised its commitment to a responsible, ESG-compliant approach. Activities in the defence sector will strictly adhere to Austrian and EU legal frameworks. AT&S has long developed high-tech solutions that can be applied in both civilian and security-relevant contexts, focusing on technologies that support defence, prevention, and the protection of critical infrastructure.

“In this way, we see the opportunity to contribute to stability and security with our technologies,” Mertin added. “Our goal is to position AT&S for a secure future.”

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