German components distribution market. [Source: FBDI, click to enlarge the picture] German component distribution market – product segmentation [Source: FBDi, click to enlarge the picture]

The German component distribution market grew in the second quarter 2006 by 17.3% to 587 million Euro. This was reported by the Association for Component Distribution (FBDI) on behalf of its members. The Book-to-Bill ratio (comparison of orders received to turnover) was reduced to 1.02 but the orders received, with 20.8%, were substantially above that of the same period of the previous year.

The strongest growth was in the semiconductor segment whose growth increased by 19.7% to 415 m Euro (without CPUs and DRAMS for the PC market whose statistics are not acquired by the FBDI). Their proportion of the overall component turnover, as already for the last two quarters, was 71% (69% for the same period of the previous year). The passive components (16% of the distribution market) grew by 7.6% to 93 m Euro. The electro-mechanical components achieved an increase in turnover of 16% (proportion of the overall market: 11%) with a volume of 67 m Euro. The turnover of displays increased slightly (3.3%), the power supplies grew by 66%.

The FBDI e.V. has been in existence since 2004 and comprises 24 component distributors. The main object of its activities is the further development of statistics of the distribution market. The most important subject of the coming years is seen by the Association in the market-oriented implementation of RoHS, WEEE and other EU guidelines that affect the electronic industry.