Electronics industry in seasonal slowdown

A higher percentage of buyers say business is declining

Jim Carbone -- Purchasing, 11/10/2009 11:40:05 PM

Only 37% of buyers surveyed reported that business was improving in November. That's down from 43% the month before. Thirty-three percent reported that business was declining in November compared to 28% in October.
Decline in business is reflected in purchase order figures of electronics buyers. Only 38% of buyers say that they would increase purchase orders over the next 90 days. In October, 50% said they would increase orders.
Thirty-four percent said orders would decline and that's up from just 12% in October. About 28% reported that orders would be the same compared to the month before.
Inventory levels are being affected. About 34% of buyers said they were maintaining their current stockpile levels. That figure is up from 29% in October. Only 19% are building inventories compared to 23% in October.