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Estonia is much more than the land of software-first startups — it also excels in building modular spaces for leisure and work. For years now, Estonia holds the position as the number one exporter of prefab wooden houses in Europe and ranks just behind China and Canada globally. Now there’s one more similar sector it conquers — soundproof office pods.
While many companies worry about trade uncertainties, Estonia’s Silen is doubling down on America, writes Trade in Estonia. The manufacturer has seen US sales surge 70% this year and is now planning to open its first American factory by 2026.
Founded in 2018 by three Estonian entrepreneurs, Silen has quickly become a big player in the office pod industry. The company now exports to 63 countries and ranks among the world’s top five, working with Fortune 500 giants like Amazon, Coca-Cola, Dell, and Lego.
Their soundproof meeting pods solve a well-known modern workplace problem: finding quiet space in open offices. And despite ongoing trade tensions and tariff discussions, CEO Endrus Arge remains upbeat. “Once the situation became clearer, sales started to pick up again.”
Most of their US competitors are also European, levelling the playing field when tariffs hit everyone equally. While import duties do increase final prices, Silen’s competitive position remains strong.
Silen’s planned US factory isn’t primarily about avoiding tariffs, but speed. “In the US, speed is a competitive advantage,” Arge notes. “Customers expect fast solutions, not multi-week shipping times.”
The new assembly facility will complement their existing Boston logistics hub, which has operated since 2019. Construction should wrap up by 2026.
In summer 2024, Silen opened a 250-square-meter showroom in Chicago’s historic Merchandise Mart, making it the first Estonian furniture company with its own North American showroom. They’re sharing space with luxury brands like Bosch and Gaggenau, plus office furniture giant Steelcase.
Silen has also relied on government support through Enterprise Estonia’s various programs, from the initial “Design Bulldozer” initiative to recent green transition funding for their “Silen Zero 2030” sustainability program. “We are very grateful to Enterprise Estonia and will definitely continue this journey together,” says Arge.
