Even if the German economy is stalled, the market for electronic components in 1997 was healthy , according to the ZVEI, Germany’s professional association of electronics companies. The first gear is in place but not all passengers have fastened their seatbelts, said ZVEI chairman Dietmar Harting. After stagnation in 1996, the domestic market for components totaled $16bn, an increase over the previous year of 3.6%. The ZVEI expects to report a 1998 total domestic volume of $9.54bn or 4.4% over the present year. Demand was high for components such as semiconductors and microprocessors, but remained flat for passive components due to the weak performance of the entertainment electronics sector. The trend will continue in 1998. The ZVEI figures semiconductor demand will again boost growth in the industry. Worldwide, the association predicts a jump of 13%, an increase that will bring the global market over the $350bn mark for the first time.
