Non-traditional EMS markets make up larger portion of business for smaller EMS providers such as Benchmark Electronics, Plexus. Automotive, medical electronics believed to be pivotal components to helping EMS market out of the recession. Growing penetration in non-traditional EMS markets could support 9% industry growth rate.

First three months of year shows 24% growth in sales value of manufacturing sector. Average sales value per employee in March was 26% higher vs. same month last year. Total number of employees engaged in manufacturing sector in March 2010 rose 1.1%.

Improving product mix slows average selling price (ASP) erosion. Distributors and suppliers may be gaining pricing power. Systems distribution industry should grow faster in 2010 than historical 4% to 6% growth rate. Electronics components distributor Avnet experiencing customers offering to pay for better allocation.

This year marks all-time annual high for global semiconductor revenue. Demand for consumer electronics continues to surpass expectations. Global factory revenue for electronics systems could reach $1.5 trillion. Strong sales predicted for PCs, mobile handsets, LCD-TVs, semiconductor-rich systems.

Consumer electronics product manufacturing cost must be less than 33% of retail price. Total component cost must be less than 25% of product retail price. Most iPad components and printed circuit boards supplied by Taiwanese and Korean manufacturers.

China had highest rate of labor force participation for persons ages 25 to 54. U.S. remains leading producer of manufactured goods. Largest labor force was combined EU-15 countries. Sweden had highest social insurance costs as a percent of manufacturing hourly compensation. Republic of Korea had largest increase in manufacturing labor productivity.

586 respondents were asked about expectations regarding the current and future business environment. Attitudes and positions measured across the supply chain say consumer electronics companies are most optimistic. Read why your company is seeing pricing and volume changes from technology vendors and suppliers. Are you planning accordingly?

2010 chip spend for EMS providers to total $38 billion. OEMs to outsource other product types. OEM semiconductor spend to rise 13%.

Tables 1 and 2 display ranking of the top 5 PC makers. Hewlett-Packard retained its No. 1 ranking in the fourth quarter of 2009, with shipments of 17.2 million and a market share of 19.4%. The top 5 include ...

Spending aimed at technologies to support competitive positioning, rather than capacity expansion. Semiconductor suppliers raising prices to meeting profits goals. Most categories will decline 2% sequentially first half 2010.