Electronics Weekly puts its questions to an industry figure: Stig Enslev is Managing Director of broadline distributor Arrow UK.

1. How would you describe the European distribution market in a sentence?

While still very fragmented, the market is becoming increasingly transparent and truly international driven by the need to improve supply chain effectiveness and help customers stay competitive in a global economy.

2. Which are the most active country markets in Europe?

It is well publicised that Russia and Eastern Europe are fast growing markets right now, though the UK market is also very active. Many of the large-scale manufacturing jobs may have moved to other geographies, but there is so much ingenuity and entrepreneurship across the entire UK electronics sector that the distribution market is still very significant and is actually the second largest in Europe.

3. Which are the most active product markets in Europe?

There are many including wireless, lighting, and new processor technologies. We are very excited about the solutions that are possible through the combination of products and technologies. The embedded systems space is a good example of that.

4. Where do you see the biggest business challenge coming from in 2008?

The strength of the euro has begun to impact the competitiveness of the region’s export markets. 
 
5. Do you see potential for further consolidation in the European market?

There is always the potential for consolidation. The key is to maintain the flexibility to take advantage of opportunities so as to be well positioned in all market conditions.

See also: Q5 - Interviews with electronics industry leaders
Read all the Electronics Weekly Q5 interviews. From ARM's chairman, Sir Robin Saxby, to touchscreen technology firm Zytronic's MD, Mark Cambridge, the business leaders share their particular insights on the UK electronics industry.