Electronics

The electronics industry, especially meaning consumer electronics has now become a global industry worth billions of dollars. Contemporary society uses all manner of electronic devices built in automated or semi-automated factories operated by the industry. The size of the industry and the use of toxic materials, as well as the difficulty of recycling has led to a series of problems with electronic waste. International regulation and environmental legislation has been developed in an attempt to address the issues. Consumer electronics is that which is intended for everyday use, most often in entertainment, communications and office productivity. Radio broadcasting in the early 20th century brought the first major consumer product, the broadcast receiver. Later products include personal computers, telephones, MP3 players, audio equipment, televisions, calculators, GPS automotive electronics, digital cameras and players and recorders using video media such as DVDs, VCRs or camcorders. Increasingly these products have become based on digital technologies, and have largely merged with the computer industry in what is increasingly referred to as the consumerization of information technology. The CEA (Consumer Electronics Association) estimated the value of consumer electronics sales at US$150 billion. Favorable demographics, rising consumer incomes, and evolving more interconnected lifestyles are anticipated to boost the global consumer electronics industry. The market is expected to reach an estimated US $1,210 billion with a CAGR of 5.4% over next five years. The consumer electronics industry is consolidated as the top 10 players contribute approximately 52% of total market size. The industry, which is capital intensive and price sensitive, is a highly dynamic and fast-changing industry. Costs of raw materials such as steel and copper have increased, which had a significant effect on the price of the finished goods. A combination of factors such as rising income and consumer spending affect the market dynamics significantly. The industry has essentially recovered from the recent recessionary condition globally and is in the growing phase.