Broadcaster manufacturers’ association IABM sampled 85 companies in a survey on industry trends. 66 percent of respondents in the latest quarter (as compared to 51 percent in the Q4 2005 survey) said they are increasingly confident.
The third IABM Industry Trends survey also saw order levels remaining strong. Exports were also “better than expected” or “much better than expected” in 40 percent of responses. A note of caution must be sounded, however; while export order volumes are strong, they are being constrained by prices, competition and a lack of selling capacity. Competition is pegging back prices, with more companies also reporting a tightening of the supply chain with pressure on margins.
When Automation Technology Update talked to Roger Crumpton, IABM CEO, at the recent BroadcastAsia show, he spoke about EU regulations on hazardous substances and recycling (RoHS and WEEE) affecting the cost of components for products shipped into Europe. Although the implementation of the legislation is imminent, some manufacturers are still not aware of it.
The IABM has announced its Broadcast & Media Technology Market Research Initiative. This is a collaborative market research project that is being managed by the IABM. It involves the investment of a six-figure sum to segment and size the global market for broadcast and media technology.
For more information, visit www.theiabm.org.
