LOS ALTOS, CA – World equipment production demand will slow somewhat this year, rising 6.8% after a 9.1% advance in 2006, according to the April Henderson Ventures forecast. The research firm predicts growth of 7.9% and 7.2% in 2008 and 2009, respectively.
Electronics industry statistics for the 1998-2006 period show that the world market has been anything but placid. The industry has been seasonal in nature, evidenced by substantial jumps in second-half shipments during most years.
When comparing year-to-year results, the news is sobering, the research firm adds, despite the sharp climb in dollar values during the second half of 2006. The three-month moving average growth rate peaked at about 15% in December 2005. Since then, the curve has fallen sharply. January 2007 came in at 7.7%. Anecdotal reports suggest February will be weaker.
The 12-month moving average growth rate finished the year at about 10%. But monthly statistics suggest that 2007 growth will be substantially slower than 2006.
EL SEGUNDO, CA – Foxconn Electronics Inc. and Asustek Computer Inc. accounted for $18.5 billion—or 57%—of annual worldwide revenue among the Top-20 contract manufacturers in 2006, according to iSuppli Corp.
Concentration of revenue among the Top-10 EMS providers and ODMs accelerated at a faster-than-expected rate in 2006, says the firm. The Top-10 EMS providers alone controlled 70.4%, or $111 billion, of the $157 billion market in 2006. The Top-10 ODM providers controlled 72.8%, or $72.8 billion, of the $100 billion market.
STAMFORD, CT – Worldwide PC shipments increased by 8.9%, totaling 62.7 million units in the first quarter of 2007, according to Gartner.
The U.S., Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America performed better than the previous forecast, while Asia/Pacific and Japan shipments were lower than expected. Asia/Pacific surpassed the U.S. For the first time, PCs will take second place in shipments.
In the first quarter, HP's worldwide PC shipment growth outpaced the industry average, increasing 28.7%. Meanwhile, Dell experienced below-average growth across many regions. Acer moved into the third position for worldwide PC shipments, exceeding the industry average across all regions. Lenovo dropped to fourth, but achieved its highest year-over-year growth rate since acquiring IBM's PC division.
In the U.S., PC shipments grew 2.9% for the quarter year-over-year. These results were higher than Gartner's forecast of 0.6% growth. Dell maintained the lead in U.S. shipments; however, HP narrowed the gap for the top spot in the U.S. market.
PC shipments in Europe, the Middle East and Africa totaled 21.6 million units, a 13.7% increase from the same period last year. In Asia/Pacific, PC shipments reached 15.7 million units, a 10.3% increase year-over-year. The PC market in the first quarter in China grew 15.2%, with desk-based PC growth of 10.1% and mobile PC growth of 38.3%. PC shipments in Latin America totaled 5.1 million, a 21% increase year-over-year; mobile PC shipments increased 86%. Japan surpassed 4 million units in the first quarter, a 6.8% decline from the same period last year.
STAMFORD, CT – GartnerInc. lowered its capital equipment spending forecasts for 2007 and 2008. Overall capital spending is projected to hit $55.2 billion in 2007, down 1.5% year-over-year. In 2008, capital spending is projected to grow 10.7% to $61.1 billion, said the research firm.
Worldwide semiconductor capital equipment spending is forecast to total $40.6 billion in 2007, a 3.2% decline from 2006. The market is expected to rebound in 2008, with spending expected to reach $46.7 billion, a 14.9% increase, said Gartner. This is below its previous forecast at the end of 2006.
After growing more than 18% in 2006, packaging and assembly equipment market revenue is projected to decline 12.2% in 2007, but will grow 20.2% in 2008. ATE sales will slow in 2007, with an expected decline of 11.2% for the year, the firm said.
BANNOCKBURN, IL -- For Apex and Los Angeles, it’s one and done.
The Apex/IPC Printed Circuits Expo trade show will relocate to Las Vegas in 2008, show producer IPC said Monday. In a letter to exhibitors, IPC said the combination of a 12% drop in attendance coupled with an apparent distaste for the Los Angeles Convention factored heavily into the decision. Attendees, said the group in a letter issued Monday to exhibitors, said, "Los Angeles was the number 1 problem over and over again. In short, the location was not a positive experience."
IPC said the show would move to Mandalay Bay, a prominent Las Vegas casino and convention center. The timing will also change. Traditionally a February show, the 2008 edition will take place April 1 to 3.
EL SEGUNDO, CA – Global semiconductor revenue will rise to $281.4 billion in 2007, up 8.1% from $260.2 billion in 2006, according to a revised iSuppli forecast. iSuppli previously predicted 10.6% growth for 2007.