The Electrical Engineering and Electronics sector in Bulgaria experienced steady growth since 2000

Sector volume production increased almost 3.5 times in 2009, compared to 2000
2010 revenues were over €1.5 bn, the highest level since 1990
Currently there are about 45 000 people employed in about 2 300 companies in the electrical engineering and electronics sector

The majority of the production (75%) is exported

Exports of Sector by category

More than 75% of the production of the Electronics manufactured in Bulgaria is exported
Key markets for the Bulgarian electronics manufacturing are the EU countries, Russia and CIS, USA
Conductors and cables represent 25% of the total sector exports, followed by industrial batteries with 11% of the exported production and electrical apparatuses with 8% of the export
The export mix has been changing in the recent years towards products with higher added value requiring more engineering skills

Bulgaria hosts many of the large international companies in the sector

Company	Description
	Bulgarian subsidiary employs 1700+ people Capacity to manufacture 600 000 refrigerators annually Delivers refrigerators to most of EU countries
	Employes 450+ people in Bulgaria Among the world leaders in electric distribution products and industrial automation Established presence in Bulgaria - operating two manufacturing facilities
	Employs 440 people in Bulgaria Specialized in manufacturing of sensors and sensor applications Bulgarian facility is one of the biggest that the company operates
	Global leader in power and automation, employing 300+ in Bulgaria Bulgarian subsidiaries provide engineering services and manufacture electrical equipment: circuit breakers, disconnectors and generating sets
	Operates a manufacturing facility in the city of Yambol, employs 3 400+ people Bulgarian branch is the main supplier of wire harnesses for the automotive industry in Spain and France
	Employs 500+ people in Bulgaria Represented in Bulgaria since the end of the 19th century Runs manufacturing facilities and provides global engineering services from its Bulgarian offices
	Employes 650+ people in Bulgaria Manufactures heavy industry transformers, tap changers and solar systems

A number of Bulgarian firms have managed to establish themselves as regional and global leaders

Company	Description
	Consortium of companies with main activities in the area of design, manufacturing, sales and servicing of electronic devices Exports 90% of its products in Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, Africa and Asia
	Founded in 1990 by a group of research fellows from the Bulgarian Academy of Science Product portfolio includes electronic cash registers, printers, digital scales Among the industry leaders in Central and Eastern Europe
	Manufactures lead acid batteries for various applications Exports around 85% of its products all over the world, mostly EU, and Eastern Europe
	High tech manufacturer of full range of intruder and alarm systems Products are exported to more than 40 countries all over the world
	Leading manufacturer of ballasts for fluorescent, sodium , mercury and HID lamps, ballasts, capacitors Exports its products to EU, South America, Central and Eastern Europe and Russia
	Designs, manufactures high quality High Frequency (HF) equipment, HF antennas and antenna crank-up masts Products are sold in 110 countries around the world
	Broadband communications industry and contract electronics R&D and manufacturing company Designs and implements complete hardware and software solutions

Electronics and electrical engineering in Bulgaria have rich history and established traditions

1890 - Siemens participated in building the telegraph network in Bulgaria

1928 - First telegraphic and telephone factory opens in Sofia

1947 - The state electronic manufacturing enterprises “Radioprom” and “Elprom” are established

1965 - The first European electronic calculator ELKA 6521 was invented in Bulgaria

1971 - Beginning of manufacturing of computing electronics. Transition to mass production of memory, processors etc

1972 - The first Bulgarian -made space equipment was launched into space

1985 - The peak of the industry – manufacturing of modern computers. Electronics comprises 25% of Bulgarian manufacturing. 130 000 people are engaged in the industry

1988 - Bulgaria manufactures more than 40% of the mainframes and personal computers in Eastern Europe

1990 - Beginning of privatization of state owned electronics and electrical engineering enterprises

After 1990s international companies established operations in Bulgaria, leading to a significant growth of the industry after 2000

1991 - Schneider Electric and Siemens open offices in Bulgaria

1993 - Festo AG & Co.KG establishes sensor manufacturing facility on Sofia

1993 - EPIQ starts manufacturing operations in Bulgaria

1997 - Hyundai heavy Industries Privatized the largest Bulgarian manufacturer of power transformers and tap changers

2000 - Liebherr opens its refrigerator manufacturing facility in the Marica industrial zone near Plovdiv

2000 - Melexis establishes their Bulgarian operations for microelectronic components

2002 - Sensor Nite opens manufacturing facility for the production of sensors and high value added electronic and electro- mechanical products

2007 - Yazaki builds its plant for wire harnesses in Yambol

2011 - IMI purchases the facility of EPIQ Bulgaria in Botevgrad

There a number of established cluster zones in the electronics and electrical engineering sector in Bulgaria

Botevgrad

The electronic manufacturing center of Bulgaria
Strong historic traditions in the industry
Located only 60 km from Sofia
Home of manufacturing facilities of IMI, Incotex

Sofia

The capital of Bulgaria, center of executive, legislative and judiciary power
Financial hub of the country
Home of Siemens Bulgaria, Schneider Electric, Hyundai Heavy Industries , Festo Bulgaria, Sensornite

Yambol

One of the oldest settlements in Bulgaria
Strategically located in the heart of the country, regional administrative center
Home of Yazaki Bulgaria

Plovdiv

The second largest city in Bulgaria
Major administrative, industrial, transport and tourist destination
Home of manufacturing facilities of Liebherr, Schneider Electric, BTL industriel

News