High-End Printed Circuit Board Expertise
Interview with Holger Enke, Managing Director of D. Kaupke Leiterplatten Service GmbH
For over 30 years, D. Kaupke Leiterplatten Service GmbH has been a reliable partner for custom printed circuit board solutions. As a specialized service provider, the Nuremberg-based company supports customers in medical technology, automotive, aerospace, and industrial electronics - from technical consulting to global procurement. Since 2022, Kaupke has been part of the EPnP Medical Group. Managing Director Holger Enke discusses growth, digitalization, sustainability, and the opportunities of a changing market.
Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Enke, since October 2023, you have been the managing director of D. Kaupke Leiterplatten Service GmbH. What distinguishes your company – and how has it developed over the years?
Holger Enke: Kaupke was founded over 30 years ago and specializes in the procurement and consulting in the field of circuit boards. As a service and trade company, we work closely with developers to realize technically and logistically optimal solutions. Since 2022, we have been part of the EPnP Medical Group, a consortium of six companies in the EMS and metal processing industries. Currently, we employ 13 people and achieve an annual turnover of around 16 million EUR – with further growth potential.
Wirtschaftsforum: You cater to customers across a wide range of industries. How do you manage to meet this diversity?
Holger Enke: Our customers come from medical technology, the automotive sector, aerospace, rail transport, and industrial electronics – including custom applications in the drone area. We work with a global network of manufacturing partners, covering different certifications, technologies, and regional focuses. This allows us to meet individual requirements – whether it's immediate availability, special materials, or specific standards – flexibly. Our success factor is comprehensive service: We provide consultation from the early development stage and ensure fast, reliable supply capability – even for complex components with high quality requirements.
Wirtschaftsforum: The past years have been marked by supply shortages, uncertainties, and geopolitical crises. How has Kaupke dealt with this?
Holger Enke: We responded quickly and expanded our role as a service provider – especially by actively sourcing critical components in Asia. This allowed us to secure production for our customers and further strengthen our customer relationships. At the same time, we have strengthened our strategic orientation: We focus on diversification – both in terms of markets and our suppliers. Sustainability is also a major issue: As part of the EPnP Group, we are subject to CSRD reporting obligations. Together with an external agency, we systematically record our CO2 footprint and develop measures for reduction. This involves both environmental and social standards along the supply chain.
Wirtschaftsforum: What role does digitalization play in your company - and how far along are you with automation and AI?
Holger Enke: We are very well positioned digitally: Our processes are largely paperless, we work with modern ERP and CRM systems, and handle a large part of our customer communication via secure portals. E-invoices, digital logistics and ordering systems have long been part of everyday life. Artificial Intelligence is not yet a central topic for us, as each project is very individual and requires intensive consultation. The requirements of our customers cannot be standardized – here it takes experience, technical understanding, and direct exchange. Nevertheless, we closely monitor developments and continuously evaluate where supportive tools can be sensibly implemented.
Wirtschaftsforum: What distinguishes Kaupke from other market participants – also in terms of customer loyalty and corporate culture?
Holger Enke: Our greatest strength is our flexibility. We do not offer mass-produced goods, but individual solutions – often within a very short time. For some customers, we keep safety stocks of complete assemblies that can be called up daily if needed. Large providers usually cannot offer this kind of service. At the same time, we invest heavily in our team: We rely on flat hierarchies, direct communication, and continuous training. As an active member of the FED – the professional association for electronic developers – we regularly participate in conferences and training sessions. This keeps us technologically up-to-date and promotes the targeted development of our employees.
Wirtschaftsforum: What strategic priorities are you setting for the coming years?
Holger Enke: Electronics are present in almost all areas of life – and so is the need for innovative circuit board solutions. We expect further growth, both in the existing customer base and through new markets. We focus on miniaturization, new materials, and sustainability – for example, through recyclable components or optimized production processes. At the same time, we are expanding our international activities, strengthening sales, and extending our technology base – also through synergies within the EPnP group. The only clear limit: We do not supply to the arms industry – all other sectors are open to us. Our goal is to continue to be faster and more flexible than many of our competitors.