Maturity of Europes switch market slows growth

Maturity of Europe`s switch market slows growth

The European switch market has matured and should expand at a compound annual growth rate of less than 2% through the year 2001, according to a study from Venture Development Corp., Natick, MA.

According to the study, titled The World Market for Switches in Electronics, Volume II-Europe, the slow growth rate is attributed to original equipment manufacturers` switching from discrete switches to alternative technologies. In several applications, the use of membrane and conductive rubber switch pads, touchscreens, and software solutions is replacing the use of switches, the study says.

The study focuses on the following switch types:

rotary and standard dual inline package (dip)

keylock

lighted pushbutton

tactile printed circuit board (pcb)-mounted pushbutton

other pushbutton

rocker

rotary

slide

snap action

toggle

trigger

Tactile pcb-mounted pushbutton switches will experience the highest market growth rate, at 2.6%, due to their use in industries and applications, including automotive, communications, consumer electronics, and industrial controls, the report forecasts. The report finds that dip switches are losing popularity and are being displaced by other switch types, technologies, or software.

The major market consumers for switches, as identified in the report, include

appliances

communications

computers/peripherals

consumer electronics

industrial controls

instruments

power tools (AC and DC cordless)

medical

military/aerospace

office equipment

security

transportation (automotive and other)

Growth in the European switch market is expected to come from applications in appliances, automotive, communications, heating/ventilation/air conditioning, and industrial controls, with other markets expected to grow more slowly or decline.

For more information about variation in switch-market growth among the individual countries in Europe, or about the report, contact John Gordon or Marc Regberg at Venture Development Corp., One Apple Hill, Natick, MA 01760; tel: (508) 653-9000, fax: (508) 653-9836, or e-mail: [email protected]. u