Total reported sales for all relay types in North America for the second quarter of 2008 were more than 3% below the previous quarter and just over 9% less than the same quarter of 2007. Sales units for relays in Q2 2008 were 4.4% less than relays sold in Q1 2008 and about 14% less than Q2 of last year.

The total booking dollars reported for all relay types in North America for Q2 2008 equaled 2% more than the previous quarter and higher than Q2 2007’s total bookings by a bit more than 5%. The second quarter’s book-to-bill ratio for dollars was 1.003. Booking units in Q2 2008 ran 10% higher than Q1 and 14% better than the same period last year. The second quarter’s book-to-bill ratio for units was 1.158.

The second quarter of this year was weaker in total sales dollars and units compared to Q1 of this and Q2 of last year. The same is true for the comparison of the first half of each year. The EMR relay type performed the same as the total. Solid state relays realized better sales dollars and units than last quarter. Average selling prices were higher in all comparisons except for solid states versus last quarter.

Sales Growth by Relay Type

Total booking dollars and units improved from the previous quarter and same quarter of last year on the strength of EMRs. Booked units grew faster or declined slower than dollars leading booking decreases in all comparisons. Year-to-date units are up over 5% while dollars are down over 6% with prices about 11% below last year.

Bookings Growth by Relay Type

The graph below shows total quarterly sales and bookings in dollars and units for the reported data. Sales dollars and units were at period highs in Q1 of last year, fell to a 2007 low in Q4, then set two year lows in Q2 of this year. Booking dollars also set a 2007 low in Q4 and have moved up the first two quarters of this year. Booked units were generally flat from Q1 of 2007 and moved up nicely in Q2 of this year.

The overall selling price set a two-year low in Q3 and a high in Q4 last year. This year it has settled down between those extremes. The ABP rose above the ASP in the first quarter of last year and stayed there until the last quarter. This year the ABP has been above and below the ASP.

Book-to-bill dollars and units improved to be equal or better than 1.1 in Q2 of this year. The ratio of average booking to selling prices was below 1.0 and it continues to oscillate around that mark.

With the first half of 2008 being down over 13% from the same period last year, this deficit will be hard to over come and this year will likely be down compared to 2007.