2008 World Distributor Review
2008 World
Distributor Review
The current global economic crisis has rippled across the world with alarming consequences. Not
surprisingly, the crisis has had a huge effect on consumer confidence, and nowhere is this more evi-
dent than in China—factory to the world’s consumer goods. According to some sources, over 100,000
factories have closed, Foxconn have laid off over 77,000, and other tier 1 CEMs have laid off many
thousands of workers.
This year’s World Distributor Review is therefore an important snapshot of how the economic
downturn is affecting the electronics industry. The picture is not the same in every territory. Some
regions and some industry segments are still performing strongly. A collection of thoughts and opinions
from the world’s leading electronics rep agencies and distributors offer a unique insight into what is
happening on the ground.
upton australia pty. What market trends do you see in your
These markets represent
ltd territory going forward?
a good portion of busi-
www.uptonaustralia.com.au The Australian electronics manufacturing sector
ness in Australia.
Representing APS Novastar, prides itself on good engineering skills. Like many
BEST, BPM Microsystems, other developed countries, we find it hard to com-
What technology
Europlacer, Microcare, pete with the cheaper labor markets. As a result,
trends do you
PACE, SONICLEAN, our design & engineering are very important. The observe happening
Vision Engineering companies that do manufacture in volume do so in your territory?
in a highly automated facility. Robert Bosch Aus-
Trends emerging in Aus-
tralia is a very good example, producing automo-
tralia are in the fields of
Kevin Saillard
tive electronics for the world market. The other
photonics and solar energy.
Kevin@uptonaustralia.
side of the coin is good old Aussie ingenuity,
There are many synergies
com.au
where we have large numbers of small organiza-
with electronics manufac-
tions producing small volume, high mix product.
ture & the building of solar cells & photonics.
WKK holdings ltd What market trends do you see in your What technology
www.wwkintl.com territory going forward? trends do you
Representing Arrow Without doubt we are going to see a very difficult
observe happening
Technologies, CircuitMaster 2009. Currently many of our customers have
in your territory?
Designs, Cobar, ECD, informed us that they intend to hold back on
When it comes to
Eunil, FCT, Fonton, purchases until they have a clear picture of the
technology, we are see-
Henkel, Hoiki, ICON global economy and when it will turn around.
ing smaller and smaller
Technologies, Japan Unix, We are facing the worst time in our industry that
boards with more flex
PK Metals, Malcom, I have seen in the past 30 years. Most of the con-
circuits being used as
Nihon Superior, Phoenix I cerns deal with the insecurity of the market place.
devices miniaturize. I
Hamed El Abd
x-ray, RMD Instruments, Clients just can’t see what is coming and are not
believe that this trend to
Hamed@wkk.com.hk
ShinEtsu, Sono Tek, VI receiving orders due to the lack of visibility. I
smaller and lighter products
Technology, Vitronics-Soltec, am confident that the market will turn around
will continue, along with increases in solar tech-
Yamaha once people start to get more confidence in the
nology items. Anything solar will grow in 2009
financial markets. I believe that we are going to even during the economic downturn. You will
need more time as the many government relief also begin to see the first of a new generation of
packages are yet to kick in and take effect. PCBs with imbedded devices.
36 – Global SMT & Packaging – December 2008 www.globalsmt.net
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