The "Distributable Total Available Market" [click on the picture to enlarge] Ranking of the top ten distributors [click on the picture to enlarge]

In 2008 the financial crisis affected the German distribution market for electronic components. However, order books in the industry were well-filled until the third quarter of 2008 and this ensured that the DTAM in 2008 only fell by eight percent compared with 2007. Since 2004 total sales have in fact increased by 5%. These are the results announced in the latest issue of the study “Worldwide Electronic Component Report Distribution 2009” published by Europartners Consultants.

The study is based on sales analyses of both German distributors and foreign distributors based in Germany. These sales analyses represent a total of approximately 75% of the DTAM (Distributable Total Available Market). Within the context of the figures published by the German electrical and electronics industry the result is above the Total Available Market (abbreviation: TAM). Approximately 25% of the available electronic component market worth 14.6 billion Euros is served by the distribution. Sales are relatively evenly distributed over all market segments with market shares analogous to the TAM.

Overall the DTAM achieved a value of 3793 million Euros in 2008. This corresponds to a drop of 8.68% compared with the previous year. A minus of 12% was recorded for the semiconductors for 2008. The market for passive components ended with -9% while electromechanics ended with -6%. The area of Component Assemblies which includes among others Power Supplies, LCD Displays and other assembly groups showed a plus of 20%. This increase was generated in particular by the companies Avnet and Rutronik who expanded considerably in the market for embedded products in 2008. Their expansion was achieved through the acquisition of other companies as well as through strategic realignment.

The ranking (see right-hand side) of the top ten distributors remains unchanged. The broadliners like for example Avnet, Arrow, Rutronik, MSC and Future continue to dominate at the top. According to the study all the companies were able to gain slight additional market shares. The frontrunner, Avnet, was able to increase its market share by 2% compared with 2007. This was primarily achieved through the acquisition of Betronik und Azzuri.