Principal Mineral покупает производителя PCB-компонентов при поддержке Cerberus

Principal Mineral has announced the acquisition of a company backed by Cerberus Capital Management — a producer of PCB components used in electronics ranging from automobiles to AI servers.

Why PCB components are needed A printed circuit board (PCB) is the

foundation of virtually any electronic device: it integrates processors, memory, controllers, and sensors into a single system. PCB components are not the boards themselves, but rather the materials and elements from which they are manufactured: copper foil, specialized laminates, solder pastes, connectors. Without a reliable source of such components, it is impossible to manufacture automotive electronics, avionics, or server equipment. Against the backdrop of growing demand for AI infrastructure, this segment has become strategically important: a modern GPU server contains dozens of boards, each requiring hundreds of components.

Why this matters now

Demand for AI servers in 2025–2026 is growing faster than manufacturers can expand capacity. Supply chains have become a bottleneck: even with chips available, a shortage of printed boards or their components can halt production. Acquiring a company with PCB component manufacturing gives Principal Mineral several key advantages: Direct access to production capacity without dependence on third-party suppliers Ability to conclude long-term contracts with server and automobile manufacturers Patent portfolio and technological competencies in the field of critical materials Strengthening positions in aerospace industry supply chains * Reducing risks associated with geopolitical instability in Asia ## Cerberus Capital and change of ownership Cerberus Capital Management is one of the largest American private equity funds.

The fund's portfolio traditionally includes industrial and manufacturing companies that Cerberus acquires, optimizes, and then sells to strategic buyers. The sale of the PCB component manufacturer to Principal Mineral fits the standard logic: the fund has completed its cycle, the company has undergone restructuring and is ready for the next stage of growth as part of a strategic holding.

For

Cerberus, this is an exit from the investment; for Principal Mineral, it is a strategic expansion in a critically important sector.

Race for critical materials

The deal reflects a global trend: Western companies and governments are actively building control over the production of components that were once considered commodities. Against the backdrop of trade wars and export restrictions from China, electronics manufacturers in the US and Europe are seeking to close their supply chains within their own structures. Companies that already own critical materials production today will gain a competitive advantage over the 5–10 year horizon — especially if demand for AI equipment continues to grow at current rates.

What this means

The Principal Mineral deal is a clear example of how the AI boom is changing M&A strategies far beyond the technology sector. Control over basic production chains is becoming as important an asset as intellectual property or data. For investors and electronics manufacturers, this is a signal: the next bottleneck may not be in chips, but in components at the level below.