European components distribution finishes 2022 on a high

According to DMASS semiconductors topped a record Q3 and finished at 3.62 Billion Euro sales, IP&E ended at 1.41 Billion Euro or 7.9% above Q4 last year.

DMASS chair Hermann Reiter says strong customer support has drawn customers to choose distribution over direct.

In total, companies represented in DMASS reported consolidated components revenues of 19.5 Billion Euro for 2022, an increase of 32.6% over 2021.*

Commented Reiter: “While we are certainly happy about record numbers, we more importantly feel a general relief that availability is improving – although not for all products – and customers will see their demands being met now to a large extent. Q4 numbers were an all-time record for semiconductor distribution, a stark contrast to what can be seen in the overall market at the moment. While in 2021 volume and sales growth were nearly balanced, last year saw a mix of price increases and exchange rate effects as well. In total, the share of distribution in the components market has gone up significantly, considering that the total components market in Europe grew at a much slower pace.”

Semiconductors growth in Q4 amounted to 37.7%. At a country/regional level, the numbers varied significantly, from a not unsurprising subsidence of 97% in Russia to a whopping 53% increase in Switzerland.

Major regions grew as follows: Germany surged 49.6% to 1.06 Billion Euro; Italy rose 34.7% to 316 Million Euro; France climbed 41.9% to 243 Million Euro; UK advanced 30.4% to 227 Million Euro; Eastern Europe grew 39.9% to 659 Million Euro and Nordic rocketed 46.4% to 311 Million Euro. Significantly above average results were recorded in Switzerland, Austria, Iberia and Turkey, at or below average in Benelux, Israel and Ireland.

At product level, by far the biggest growth occurred in Programmable Logic, Other Logic (ASSPs) and MOS Micro, while Analogue products hit the average and all other areas showed signs of normalisation (Discrete, Power, Memories and Sensors) or outright disappointment (Opto).

At a more detailed level, the results for Q4 varied significantly, from a drop of 6% in LEDs to an out of this world 107% plus in Programmable Logic to 287 million Euro.

Major Product Groups developed as follows: Analogue accelerated 38.1% to 1.01 Billion Euro; MOS Micro grew by 50% to 775 Million Euro; Power was up 24.2% to 402 Million Euro; Memories rose 25% to 356 Million Euro; Other Logic climbed 73.7% to 240 Million Euro; Opto edged forward 2.8% to 232 Million Euro; Discretes were ahead 10.3% to 175 Million Euro and Sensors advanced 26.1% to 99 Million Euro. Notably, high-end MCUs overtook Power Management as the biggest product category.

Interconnect, Passive and Electromechanical (IP&E) components again grew at a slower – normal – pace in Q4/22.

Sales ended at 1.41 Billion Euro up 7.9% compared to Q4 2021.

At country level, growth rates varied significantly: Germany grew by 8% to 352 Million Euro; Eastern Europe by 10.4% to 191 Million Euro; the UK by 15.9% to 142 Million Euro, Italy only by 1.6% to 137 Million Euro; France by 9.9% to 125 Million Euro and Nordic by 12.6% to 130 Million Euro.

Product-wise, Electromechanical products grew by 8.7% to 747 Million Euro, Passives by 5% to 572 Million Euro and Power Supplies by 22% to 93 Million Euro.

Hermann Reiter added: “Admittedly, the last two years have been extremely positive from a growth perspective but very challenging through a prolonged allocation, with some products still in short supply today. 2023 promises some relief here, but the overall economical and political signs are anything but predictable or plannable. In our opinion, distribution has supplied a maximum of support for customers and increased and accelerated deliveries as much as possible, as well as created more possibilities to exchange data digitally in much faster fashion. This is maybe the key reason why customers have chosen distribution over direct and helped us increase the DTAM to new record levels. We highly appreciate the spirit of cooperation we have seen between customers, suppliers and distribution.”

*DMASS claims a coverage of over 80% of European Components DTAM.