The European semiconductor distribution sales declined 8.2% in Q32008 compared to Q32007. The DMASS (Distributors’ and Manufacturers’ Association of Semiconductor Specialists) reported quarterly distribution revenues of 1.22 billion euro. Regionally, the only positive news comes from Eastern Europe, which ended the quarter with a growth of 4.3%, mainly driven by Poland and Emerging Countries, who both grew by double digits. Germany and the Nordic countries did considerably better than the rest and contained the decline to 4.7% (419 Million €) respectively 2.8% (116 Million €). All other major regions reported double-digit revenue declines: Benelux -22.8%; Italy -17.6%; UK -15.8%; Iberia -12.5% and France -11.5%.

The product breakdown in Q3/2008 shows two camps and one exception: the product group Other Logic was the only one growing, although only by 1%. The first camp contains the product groups that declined the least: Discretes (-4.5%), Analog (-6.1%), Programmable Logic (-6.5%) and Optoelectronics (-7.8%). In the second camp all product groups declined by double digits: Memories (-10.5%), MOS Micro (-13.4%) and Standard Logic (-17.8%). For individual products, only IGBTs, Rectifiers, DRAMs and DSPs reported positive developments, with growth rates ranging from 1.5% to 15.9%.

DMASS, founded in 1989, provides its members with a reliable statistical tool to evaluate their relative mass-market performance. The organisation currently consists of 33 active members and represents between 80% and 85% of the total European distribution market, depending on the regions.