Total reported sales for all switch types in North America for Q1 of 2008 were 6% more than the previous quarter and almost 2% better than the first quarter of 2007. Sales units for Q1 2008 were 7% above the units sold in Q4 2007 and about 19% higher than Q1 2007.

The total booking dollars reported for all switch types in North America for Q1 2008 equaled $68.8M, about 8% better than last quarter’s $ 63.5M and under Q1 2007’s total bookings of $70.9 M by 3%. The first quarter’s book-to-bill ratio for dollars was 0.956. Booking units in Q1 2008 equaled 125.7M running 10% above the 113.8M in Q4. The first quarter’s book-to-bill ratio for units was 0.961.

The first quarter versus the fourth showed total sales dollar increases of almost 6% driven gains in five of eight switch types. Units rose nearly 7% in total with the same five of eight types improving in quantity as well as value. Average Selling Prices (ASPs) also improved in five of eight types but fell about 1% overall. Q1 compared to a year ago shows total unit and dollar increases. Strong dollar improvements in tact and snap action switches overcame losses in push buttons and keylocks. Strong unit recovery in tact and slide switches washed out significant drops in push button and snap action switches. Push button, rocker, and snap action switches realized considerable price improvement over a year ago. But in total prices were down nearly 15% with major declines in keylock and slide switch prices and strong unit growth in tact switches drove a mix change to this least expensive switch type.

Sales Growth by Switch Type

When compared to the last quarter total booking dollars rose just over 8% powered by major advances for snap action and tact switches. Units increased 10% with rockers joining snap action and tact switches to push the total upward. The Average Booking Price (ABP) decreased 2% in total with rockers sliding by 20% and a mix shift to tact switches. Booked dollars in Q1 versus a year ago were down in six of eight types for a 3% overall decline. Tact switches had the most notable improvement in dollars and units compared to the same quarter of 2007. Some of the 41% increase in units is attributable to new subscribers. ABPs compared to a year ago were down 17% in total and in six of eight types.

Bookings Growth by Switch Type

The graph below shows total quarterly indexed (Q1 2003=100) sales and bookings in dollars and units for the reported data since Q1 CY 2006. For sales dollars, Q1 was the best since Q3 of 2006 and units were just shy of the two year high set in Q3 of 2007. Booking dollars are worse than a year ago, but ended a three quarter slide downward. Booked units continue to trend up from the low in Q4 of 2006.

Book-to-bill units and dollars continue to creep up to the 1.0 level and the ABP-to-ASP remains at the same level.

For the period, booking prices peaked in Q4 of 2006 and have generally declined since then. This past year selling prices were at or above booking prices. ASP is about 5% lower and ABP near equal to the level of Q1 of 2003.