In the 1st quarter of 2009, the German components distributors organized in the FBDi achieved sales of 482 million Euro. This represents a decrease of 26% compared to Q1/2008. Thus, the typical strongest quarter was lower than the traditionally weakest winter quarter (October to December 2008). The orders received were 433 m Euro (-36.5%) for a Book-to-Bill rate of 0.9. Of the largest product segments, sales of semiconductors were reduced by 27% to 337 million Euro. Passive components shrank by 22.7% to 72 million Euro. and the electro-mechanical devices by 19.9 to 60 million Euro. Semiconductors represent approximately 70% of the total volume, passive elements 15% and electro-mechanical devices 12%. Power supplies and displays, with 3%, play no significant role.
FBDi chairman, Georg Steinberger (Avnet) on the prospects for 2009: “In general, the chances for the distributors of improving their portion of the overall market continue to be good, but at present the forecast is a minus of 20% for 2009.“ The FBDi e.V. has been in existence since 2004 and has a membership of 24 modules distributors, as well as some modules manufacturers as development members.
