Bishop & Associates publishes two connector forecasts each year. Each eight-chapter report provides an in depth, and detailed forecast of the worldwide connector Industry. In addition to the detailed forecasts for each region of the world (North America, Europe, Japan, China, Asia Pacific, ROW), an industry overview is included which provides current market trends, industry book-to-bill ratios, and outlook narrative.

Worldwide and regional forecasts include:

Actual results are provided for the years 2005, and 2006. Forecasts include the years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011. Five-year Compound Annual Growth Rates (2006-2011) are also included.

2007 Outlook

World connector sales will achieve a +6.6 percent increase in 2007, making five consecutive years of growth.

World Connector Industry - Percent Change in Sales

The following table provides our 2006 forecast by geographic region.

World Connector Industry Forecast

 The connector industry climbed a “wall of worry” in 2007 (slow down in U.S. housing market, high energy costs, high commodity prices, slowing U.S. economy) but emerged with connector sales up +6.6 percent based on strong economies in Europe, China, and Asia.

All geographic regions achieved growth except North America.

The following chart displays North American growth vs. the industry since 2000.

North American Growth vs. Industry Growth

This will be the trend for the U.S. during much of the next decade. China will grow the fastest, followed by India, the rest of Asia, and Western Europe. The U.S. will grow in the low single digits as more manufacturing is transferred to China and India.

The following table is our 2007 forecast by market sector.

Connector Industry Forecast by Market Sector