Electronic manufacturing refers to the process of designing, fabricating, assembling, and testing electronic components and devices ranging from microscopic transistors to large supercomputer systems. It is an incredibly diverse industry that plays a crucial role in products and infrastructure across sectors.
The electronic manufacturing industry can be broadly divided into the following key sectors:
Consumer electronics
Communication devices
Mobile phones, tablets, laptops, etc. Key players are Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi etc.
| Company | Key Products | Revenue |
|---|---|---|
| Apple | iPhone, iPad, Macbooks | $274.5 billion |
| Samsung | Galaxy smartphones, smartwatches | $197 billion |
| Xiaomi | Redmi, Mi and Poco smartphones | $56.5 billion |
Home entertainment
Televisions, speakers, home theaters, video game consoles by companies like Samsung, LG, Sony and Microsoft
Other devices
Digital cameras, wearable devices, headphones, etc. Dominant firms being Canon, Sony, Bose and Apple
Computers and peripherals
Desktop PCs, monitors, printers, storage devices. Leading brands are HP, Dell, Lenovo, Seagate, Canon etc.
Telecommunication infrastructure
Equipment for 5G networks, fiber optic gear, satellite communication devices. Nokia, Ericsson, Qualcomm play leading roles.
Automotive electronics
In-vehicle entertainment units, GPS navigation systems, sensors, battery management systems crucial for electric vehicles etc. Bosch is market leader along with Continental, Denso etc.
Industrial/Enterprise electronics
Equipment for process control and factory automation, robotics, medical electronics, defense electronics are key areas with Siemens, ABB, GE, Philips Healthcare as prominent companies.
Semiconductor fabrication
Chip fabrication for various electronic end products. Intel, TSMC, Samsung, Micron lead the market.
Contract manufacturing
Firms that provide assembly and testing services – Foxconn, Flex, Jabil Circuit are major examples.
PCB fabrication
Design and fabrication of printed circuit boards – dominant companies are AT&S Austria, Compeq Manufacturing, Tripod Technology etc.
Electronic design services
Companies that offer product engineering and embedded system design services like Tata Elxsi, Cyient, eInfochips etc.
So in summary, electronic manufacturing is extremely diverse with specializations in various domains right from chip fabrication to final product design, assembly and distribution.
FAQs about electronic manufacturing sectors
What are the largest sectors in electronic manufacturing by revenue?
The sectors with highest revenues globally are:
- Semiconductor fabrication ($550+ billion)
- Computer and peripherals market (~$500 billion)
- Telecommunication equipment (~$500 billion)
Consumer electronics and automotive electronics are also substantial segments with over $1 trillion combined market size.
Which region dominates electronic manufacturing?
Asia Pacific accounts for more 60% of global electronic equipment production driven by China which is dubbed the “world’s factory”. Other major manufacturing hubs in Asia include South Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Singapore.
What is the importance of contract manufacturing?
Contract manufacturing now accounts for over 50% of total electronic hardware production globally. It enables faster time-to-market and lower costs for original equipment manufacturers through outsourced assembly and testing services.
What are the latest trends in electronic manufacturing?
Key trends shaping the industry are – connected devices and IoT ecosystems, supply chain digitization through concepts like digital twins, increasing automation and artificial intelligence. Sustainability is also a growing priority across electronic manufacturing.
How can one pursue a career in electronic manufacturing?
One can specialize in semiconductor fabrication, PCB design, embedded systems and firmware development, automation and control engineering or quality assurance. Electronics design and test engineering are domains with strong demand and decent pay scales.
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