Demand for semiconductors through European distributors grew strongly in the first quarter of 2015, continuing the positive trend shown in the last half of 2014, according to DMASS – the Distributors' and Manufacturers' Association of Semiconductor Specialists. Sales of semiconductors through distribution channels in Q1 grew by 13.3% year on year to €1.82billion, the highest recorded quarterly sales since the introduction of the Euro in 2002, said DMASS.
While currency effects have had an impact, DMASS chairman Georg Steinberger said: "Even neglecting exchange rate effects, the distribution market enjoyed stable sales growth. The downside is a wave of price increases from overseas suppliers to compensate exchange rate effects."
DMASS says around half of the growth can be attributed to exchange rate issues, with most European customers billed in US dollars,
While sales in the UK grew by 16.3% to €158million, sales in Germany (5.8%) and Italy (8.4%) were less than average.
Steinberger added: "Sales in Germany, Italy and a few smaller markets have been more Euro focused, with the effect that their single digit growth rates are more in line with a realistic market growth."
Sales of analogue products grew to €537m, MOS Micro contributed €371m and power product revenues were €175m.
Author
Graham Pitcher
Source: www.newelectronics.co.uk