Revenues of the european distribution market

According to DMASS (Distributors’ and Manufacturers’ Association of Semiconductor Specialists), the European semiconductor distribution industry had a very encouraging start into 2006. The usually very strong first quarter of the year (January to March) ended with an increase in sales of 15,34%. This was the strongest growth since mid-2004. In actual numbers, DMASS reported sales of 1,38 Billion euro, the highest sales number since the first quarter of 2001. (DMASS only reports industrial semiconductor sales, defined as all semiconductors, excluding the PC channel.).

Regionally results: Gemany at the top

Regionally, the market growth showed throughout all regions, however with some very clear winners. Of the big four markets, Germany produced by far the highest growth. With an increase of 21% over Q1 last year, the German market climbed to sales of 439 Million euro. Italy produced sales of 198 Million euro (+12%) and secured its number 2 spot. UK (149 Million euro) and France (133 Million euro) grew by 8% respectively 6,8%. Within the other regions, the strongest growth happened in Czech, Russia, Sweden, Denmark, Iberia and Israel, between 69% and 22%. The only country with a decline in sales was Finland (-13,7%).

Georg Steinberger, Chairman of DMASS : " ... The exception of Finland seems to be a technical issue with contract manufacturing leaving the country towards the East and the Baltic....“

Product-wise results: DSPs take off

Product-wise, the range of growth is similarly mixed. Above average grew areas like Analog, MOS Micro, Standard Logic, Power and Optoelectronics (23,9% to 15,6%). Clear winners in single major product categories were DSPs (+38,8%), Microperipherals (33,2%), Standard Analog (28,4%), Power-MOS (26,7), Couplers (19%) and Microcontrollers (16%). The rest remained healthily positive, slightly below average.

DMASS is a European non-profit organisation, that collactes detailed semiconductor distribution market data on a quarterly basis by country and product groups. Founded in 1989, the organisation currently consists of 30 active members and represents between 70% and 80% of the total European distribution market, depending on the regions.