PCB industry will not surpass past highs before 2004 - ABI

29 January 2003 News

The printed circuit board market reached a bottom in 2001, with worldwide sales expected to increase slightly in 2002. However, exceeding the levels posted in 2000, when global revenues topped $42 bn, will not happen for some time. Weaknesses in several tech sectors are to blame, including telecom, medical and the broader information technology industry, according to research conducted by Allied Business Intelligence (ABI).

"Given current market conditions, the PCB industry will take about four or five years to reach the level attained in 2000," states Edward Rerisi, Director of Research at ABI. "The PCB market is strongly correlated with the electronic equipment industry. As this industry recovers, so will the PCB market," he adds.

With nearly 2000 companies actively engaged in PCB production, ABI contends that only the most technically advanced will weather this storm. Smaller companies may be pushed out of the market unless they successfully cater to a niche application.

www.alliedworld.com

Further reading:

Engineering in a world that cannot assume connectivity
Technews Publishing Editor's Choice News
Across industrial automation, networking, and defence systems, engineers are rediscovering the importance of resilience and autonomy in an increasingly connected world.

Read more...

---

IOT secures major industry partnership
IOT Electronics News
IOT Electronics has announced a new strategic partnership with Powell Electronics, becoming an Official Authorised Reseller in South Africa.

Read more...

---

Successful Proteus training conference
Dizzy Enterprises News
Dizzy Enterprises recently hosted two hands-on Proteus Training Conferences, bringing together electronics professionals, designers, and enthusiasts to explore the latest capabilities of the Proteus Design Suite from Labcenter Electronics.

Read more...

---

Hitachi reinvents asset management solution
News
Hitachi Energy, in collaboration with Microsoft, is accelerating the digital transformation of essential infrastructure - from electricity networks and transportation corridors to heavy industrial operations - by reinventing how critical assets are managed and maintained.

Read more...

---

Mycronic releases mixed Q4 results
News
Mycronic reported mixed Q4 results for the year ended January to December 2025, while delivering record full year order intake and net sales.

Read more...

---

AGOA: Businesses should diversify or face significant exposure
News
Cross-border payments platform Verto has called on South African and African businesses to accelerate their transition toward a “post-AGOA” trade strategy following President Donald Trump’s signing of a one-year extension to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

Read more...

---

European components distribution growing
News
European electronic components distribution returned to growth in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to newly released figures from DMASS Europe.

Read more...

---

Silicon Labs reports strong growth
News
Silicon Labs has reported robust financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2025, with significant YoY revenue gains and shifting market dynamics.

Read more...

---

Siemens acquires Canopus AI
ASIC Design Services News
The acquisition extends Siemens’ comprehensive EDA software portfolio with computational metrology and inspection to help chipmakers solve critical technical challenges in semiconductor manufacturing.

Read more...

---

Micron breaks ground on new wafer fabs
News
Micron Technology has advanced two major semiconductor manufacturing initiatives that together reflect the company’s strategic response to sustained global demand for memory solutions.

Read more...

---