Market Analysis

UK connector orders steady, with distribution share weak

by Paige Hookway
23 January 2025
Less than a minute
288 Views
2 years ago

ITSA’s recent report finds that the Book to Bill is positive at 1.05:1, due to a high direct order intake in Q4.

Distributors appear to have de-stocked in Q4, down 15%, probably in anticipation of a slow-down in orders.

This is important as they represent some 46% of ITSA members sales.

Headline stats:

Revenues down -4% year-on-year and orders up 2% year-on-year
Order intake in Q4 of 2024 was the highest since Q2 of 2022

Market performance continues to vary:

Broadcast up 83%
Medical +48%
Communication +29%
Mil/Aero +4% (a drop from the +16% in Q3)
T&M down 17%
Mass Transport down 13%

2024 was obviously a challenge, but the UK connector market held up well.

2025 is looking like a year of caution with most members expecting flat revenues and if any growth is achieved it will be extremely low single digit.

Download a full copy of the ITSA Report.

Paige Hookway

Managing Editor

Paige Hookway is the Managing Editor of Procurement Pro, where she brings over a decade of industry experience to shaping insightful, engaging, and forward-thinking content for the global electronics community. After graduating from the University of Greenwich with a 2:1 in English Literature, Paige blended her love of storytelling with a deep curiosity for technology – carving out a career that champions both innovation and the people behind it. Across her 10+ years in the sector, Paige has developed a strong reputation for uncovering emerging trends, translating complex concepts into accessible insights, and spotlighting the voices shaping the future of engineering. She is particularly passionate about encouraging the next generation of engineers and elevating women in tech narratives that inspire, empower, and drive meaningful change. When she’s not immersed in the latest engineering developments, Paige can be found wrapped up in a blanket with a cup of tea and a good book.