EL SEGUNDO, CA – Worldwide revenue generated by EMS providers and ODMs is set to rise to $280.8 billion in 2010, up 7.8% year-over-year, says iSuppli Corp.

This follows a 13.4% decline in 2009 that was spurred by the global economic recession and the resulting electronics downturn.

Global ODM revenue is set to rise 10.8% in 2010, while the EMS market will expand 5.2%.

However, the market still faces major uncertainties this year, according to the research firm.

“Things are definitely looking up for the EMS/ODM market,” said Adam Pick, principal analyst for EMS and ODM at iSuppli. “However, we’re holding our breath until the second half of 2010, given certain industrial and macroeconomic issues that could inhibit the outsourcing cycle.”

On the positive side, orders for the leading EMS and ODM providers are recovering. Senior managers at contract manufacturers are indicating the typical seasonal downturn in the first quarter will be mitigated by stronger-than-normal demand signals from their OEM customers.

“Fourth-quarter earnings results from major EMS firms Jabil, Sanmina and Plexus came with some bullish guidance for the first quarter,” Pick said. “Plus, last quarter, most companies posted improved earnings, enhanced operations and elevated ROIC performance.”

Despite these gains, Pick doesn’t foresee the kind of sharp rebound for the entire contract manufacturing business that some experts are predicting.

“Some analysts believe the global contract manufacturing business is due for a V-shaped recovery, similar to that of the 2003 to 2005 time frame, when the industry enjoyed a surge in outsourcing.

“However, conditions are different in 2010, with the contract manufacturing market experiencing a dichotomy of growth. ODMs are set for a growth rebound due to their penetration of booming markets like mobile PCs and LCD-TVs. In contrast, with their focus on traditional segments like networking and telecom, some EMS companies are likely to experience slower growth.”

Pick believes some individual contract electronics manufacturers could face ongoing constraints in particular component supplies, including display panels, optical disc drives and chipsets. The recent shortages have inhibited full-throttle assembly activity among contract manufacturers for the past six months.

At the industrial level, component supply management continues to be a sore spot for OEM procurement teams. iSuppli’s primary research suggests OEMs are continuing their efforts to tighten control of the Bill of Materials to minimize purchase-price variance.

At the economic level, Pick expressed concern about high unemployment, waning stimulus efforts and more than a trillion dollars in lingering residential and commercial mortgage resets. These factors could slow or reverse the latest uptick in personal and corporate spending on electronics products made by EMS and ODM providers.

BILLINGSTAD, NORWAY – Kitron, a top 40 global EMS company, reported fourth-quarter revenue of NOK 423.9 million, down 35.3% from the same period last year.

The net profit was NOK 12.9 million, down from 63.5 million a year ago. The current results include a loss from discontinued operations of NOK 2.89 million.

The pretax profit was NOK 12.8 million, down from NOK 59 million. Cash flow from operations was NOK 62.3 million, roughly flat with last year’s NOK 66.5 million. Orders fell 17% to NOK 454.7 million and backlogs dropped 18.1% to NOK 795.8 million.

Defense sales were down 44.1%, data/telecom was down 38.5%, medical equipment was off 15.3% and industrial decreased 40.3%.

“While the activity level in fourth quarter [was] lower, we see a stable trend toward improved market conditions quarter by quarter,” Kitron said. “The slow but steady improvement in the order backlog continued in Q4 and is another sign of the improved market conditions.”

Kitron said it would set up a second operation in China to expand market coverage. The new unit will start manufacturing in the second half of 2010. It also will divest its development department and enter a strategic alliance with a dedicated development company.