How does the connector industry view itself? According to the Connector Confidence Index, not always well.   Bishop & Associates polls connector industry executives monthly to see how they view the industry’s performance, both current and future. The executives are asked to rate the performance by four regions that are key to the industry: North America,Read More

In the first half of 2015, the connector industry is down almost 5% in US dollars, yet up in foreign currencies. Why?   The connector industry contracted -4.6% in the first six months of 2015 when measured in US dollars. After the strong performance in 2014, it is reasonable to believe that year-over-year growth would beRead More

Currently, there are more than 1.6 million industrial robots in service worldwide; will that number grow significantly in the next five years?   According to the IFR (International Federation of Robotics), there have been approximately 2.7 million industrial robots shipped worldwide since the 1960s. With a potential service life of 15 years, that means thereRead More

Bishop & Associates completed its 2015 customer survey of electronic distributors. In the second of two articles, we reveal the distributors rated best for website usefulness and price competitiveness, as well as best overall distributor.   Bishop & Associates just concluded its annual survey of electronic distributors, in which it asked connector and cable assembly users toRead More

Bishop & Associates has wrapped up its 2015 customer survey of electronic distributors. In the first of two articles, we reveal the distributors rated best in breadth of product, support, ease of doing business, and delivery.   Bishop & Associates just concluded its annual survey of electronic distributors in which it asked connector and cable assemblyRead More

Bishop & Associates examined 10 years of connector industry balance sheets, which revealed consistent performance that rewarded investors.   The connector industry grew to almost $53 billion in 2014. It is an industry with a good balance sheet and not a lot of long-term debt. Let’s take a look at some of the stats that supportRead More

As electronic content in cars continued to outpace growth in unit volume, the automotive cable assembly market was up 7.2% in 2014.   Bishop tracks 12 companies in the automotive market sector. This market had six consecutive quarters of year-over-year growth before 4Q14, as measured by these 12 companies’ revenues. In 2013, these companies grewRead More

The connector industry is one of the most profitable subsections of the electronic components industry. Bishop & Associates’ Dave Pheteplace looks at 10 years of connector industry income statements.   The connector industry grew to almost $53 billion in 2014. It is one of the most profitable subsections of the electronic component industries. Let’s take a lookRead More

Bishop & Associates tracks sales and profits in 13 market sectors. Based on the 120 companies it follows, it evaluated the performance results for OEM markets in 2014.   How are OEMs faring in the current economic climate? The objectives in tracking sales and profits of these 120 companies in 13 market sectors are to determine how selected electronicRead More

For the connector industry, the fourth quarter historically results in higher sales than the first, second, and third, but in this issue’s Facts & Figures, all quarters are not equal.   For years we’ve reported that for the connector industry, the fourth quarter historically results in higher sales than the first, second, and third quarters. That statement isRead More

In December, the semiconductor market grew to a record $336 billion (up +10.0% YOY), while connector growth strengthened as well. The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) reported excellent growth in December 2014. December sales were a record $29.1 billion, up +9.3% from December 2013 and down -2.2% sequentially from November. 2014 semiconductor sales were up +10.0%Read More

Bishop & Associates crunched the numbers and here is its report on the connector industry’s performance in 2014. Connector industry sales were up +5.1% in the fourth quarter of 2014 to $13,090 million. Connector sales grew +8.1% for the full year 2014 to $52,855 million. The following table shows connector sales by quarter for 2014.Read More