NEW YORK — The financial turmoil will dampen worldwide technology spending in 2009, according to research firm IDC. However, the lack of a tech "bubble" will hasten the rebound, the firm predicts.
The research firm revised its growth outlook for worldwide IT spending to 2.6%, down from an August forecast of 5.9%. The firm's US spending outlook was slashed to 0.9%, down from 4.2%, while Japan and Western Europe will grow around 1%.
Despite the economic downturn, IDC continues to expect spending on technology products and services to continue to grow next year — just at a slower pace. "IT is in a better position than ever to resist the downward pull of a slowing economy," said IDC chief research officer John Gantz in a press release, because it "remains critical to achieving further efficiency and productivity gains."
The firm expects Emerging markets in Central and Eastern Europe, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East to continue to do well.
IDC growth rates approaching 6 percent in 2012. Even so, the research firm estimates that the industry will lose more than $300 billion in revenue due to slower spending over the next four years.
Nevertheless, designers and manufacturers are better positioned than they were in 2001, the firm says, when the tech bubble brought about by excess inventory took several quarters to correct. With no bubble this time around, slower spending won't have the same deep effect, and will rebound more quickly.
BANNOCKBURN, IL– IPC, in collaboration with the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) and the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), recently commented to the Consumer Product Safety Commission regarding the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA).
HELSINKI — Nokia Siemens Networks will lay off 1,250 employees in Finland and Germany as part of a previously announced cost-cutting plan. The cuts bring the total to 7,250 workers sacked since June 2006.
TAIPEI -- Foxconn Electronics (the trade name of Hon Hai Precision Industry) reported October sales were up 29.1% year-over-year to $5.2 billion.
Sales were up 7.6% sequentially, the company said, on demand for networking and consumer electronics. PC sales were stable, the company said.
Year-to-date, sales are up 27.5%.
The firm, the world's largest ODM/EMS company, said sales through the remainder of calendar 2008 would grow as well.
Foxconn Technology, the EMS subsidiary of Foxconn Electronics, said October consolidated sales were up 25.9% year-over-year to NT$16.72 billion. Year to date sales are up 18.%.
BANNOCKBURN, IL — A new guidebook that covers the European Union's registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemicals (REACH) regulations has been released by IPC.
The document was developed at the direction of an IPC task force to combat "a widespread lack of awareness and understanding of REACH within the industry."
"REACH & the Electronics Industry Supply Chain: The Basics, the Impact and How to Survive," includes a timetable of activities and a review of REACH implications and obligations for each segment of the supply chain.
The deadline for REACH preregistration is Nov. 30.
For information, visit the IPC bookstore at ipc.org/onlinestore.
