Consultants Henderson Ventures have forecast a cyclical revival in the global electronics industry over the next two years, although it still sees a number of problem areas. World production of electronic equipment is expected to grow by 4.8% in 2014, following a decline of over 2% in 2013. Growth in 2015 could be 6% of more, with China and the US leading the way.
In a summary of its forecasts issued at the end of last year, Henderson said: “During the next two years, the economic revival will underwrite accelerating growth for electronic equipment demand; and renewed growth in developing countries will help to promote demand for industrial and instrument electronics, as well as computer and communication gear.” However there are a number of shadows over the outlook: “the world economy will still not be hitting on all cylinders. Specifically, the European recovery will be torpid. The associated demand for electronic hardware will not come up to past industry recoveries. Moreover, slumping global military electronics markets will hold down potential gains. So too will the increasing acceptance of cloud computing, which will effectively reduce the demand for computer hardware.”
ITRI View: With the electronics industry accounting for a half of tin demand, the expected upturn will have a significant positive impact on the market. A revival in electronics solder shipments had already begun in the second half of last year.
