Electronic equipment – growth in most regions
In spite of a 4Q’06 slowdown in personal computer production (due to a delay in Microsoft Vista and microprocessor shortages in Asia), global electronic equipment demand remained reasonably strong at year-end 2006. Consumer electronics and demand from developing nations were key drivers. And, with Vista now to be released in 1Q’07, the PC purchases postponed in the fourth quarter should soon be realized. In the USA electronic equipment sales and orders rebounded in November after a sharp October decline. All end markets recovered. In Europe communications equipment base station demand slumped while other market segments held steady while in Japan there appears to be some recovery after a multiyear decline. Read the full column (PDF)...

This column was taken from Global SMT & Packaging Vol. 7, No. 2– February 2007