<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0001047469-04-030477
<TYPE>8-K
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>2
<PERIOD>20041005
<ITEMS>2.02
<ITEMS>9.01
<FILING-DATE>20041005
<DATE-OF-FILING-DATE-CHANGE>20041005
<FILER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS INC
<CIK>0000863436
<ASSIGNED-SIC>3672
<IRS-NUMBER>742211011
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>TX
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>1231
</COMPANY-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>8-K
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>001-10560
<FILM-NUMBER>041066575
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>3000 TECHNOLOGY DRIVE
<CITY>ANGLETON
<STATE>TX
<ZIP>77515
<PHONE>9798496550
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>3000 TECHNOLOGY DR
<CITY>ANGLETON
<STATE>TX
<ZIP>77515
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</FILER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a2144526z8-k.htm
<DESCRIPTION>8-K
<TEXT>
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<BR>
<FONT SIZE=3 ><A HREF="#04HOU1581_1">QuickLinks</A></FONT>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Washington, D.C. 20549  </B></FONT></P>

<BR>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>FORM 8-K  </B></FONT></P>

<BR>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=3><B>CURRENT REPORT<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) of<BR>
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </FONT></P>

<BR>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>Date
of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October&nbsp;5, 2004 </FONT></P>

<BR>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS,&nbsp;INC.<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) </FONT></P>

<BR>

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<TD WIDTH="32%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Texas<BR> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="32%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>1-10560<BR> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Commission File Number)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="32%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>74-2211011<BR> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD COLSPAN=3 ALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2><B>3000 Technology Drive, Angleton, Texas<BR> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Address of principal executive offices)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="32%" ALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2><B>77515<BR> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Zip code)</FONT></TD>
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<BR>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>Registrant's telephone number, including area code: </FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>(979)&nbsp;849-6550</B></FONT></P>

<BR>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>Check
the appropriate box below if the Form&nbsp;8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see
General Instruction A.2. below): </FONT></P>

<DL compact>
<DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS">&#111;</FONT></FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Written
communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS">&#111;</FONT></FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12(b))
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS">&#111;</FONT></FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14d-2(b))
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS">&#111;</FONT></FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.13e-4(c)) </FONT></DD></DL>
<BR>

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NAME="page_de1581_1_2"> </A> </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="de1581_item_2.02._results_of_o__de102023"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_de1581_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.    <BR>    </B></FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;On October&nbsp;5, 2004, Benchmark Electronics,&nbsp;Inc. issued a press release announcing that it expects to meet or exceed analysts' consensus revenues and
earnings per share estimates for the quarter ended September&nbsp;30, 2004. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit&nbsp;99.1 hereto and is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The
information in this Form&nbsp;8-K is being furnished under Item 2.02 and shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purposes of Section&nbsp;18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of
1934 (the "Exchange Act"), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of such section, nor shall such information be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the
Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="de1581_item_9.01._financial_statements_and_exhibits."> </A>
<A NAME="toc_de1581_2"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.    <BR>    </B></FONT></P>

<UL>
<DL compact>
<DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(c)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Exhibits
</FONT></DD></DL>

<UL>
<UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>Exhibit&nbsp;99.1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Press
release dated October&nbsp;5, 2004 </FONT></P>

</UL>
</UL>
</UL>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>2</FONT></P>

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NAME="page_jc1581_1_3"> </A> </FONT></P>

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<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>SIGNATURE    <BR>    </B></FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
hereunto duly authorized. </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="39%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN=2><FONT SIZE=2>BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS,&nbsp;INC.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="39%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Dated: October&nbsp;5, 2004</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
By:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="54%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>CARY T. FU</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Cary T. Fu<BR>
Chief Executive Officer</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>3</FONT></P>

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NAME="page_ka1581_1_4"> </A> </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="ka1581_exhibits_index"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_ka1581_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>EXHIBITS INDEX    <BR>    </B></FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="11%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Exhibit<BR>
Number</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="86%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Description<BR> </B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
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<TD WIDTH="11%"><FONT SIZE=2>Exhibit&nbsp;99.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="86%"><FONT SIZE=2>Press release dated October&nbsp;5, 2004</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>4</FONT></P>

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<BR>
<P><br><A NAME="04HOU1581_1">QuickLinks</A><br></P><!-- TOC_BEGIN -->
<UL>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de1581_1">Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de1581_2">Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.</A></FONT><BR>
</UL>
<!-- TOC_BEGIN -->
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_jc1581_1">SIGNATURE</A></FONT><BR>
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<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_ka1581_1">EXHIBITS INDEX</A></FONT><BR>
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<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>a2144526zex-99_1.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 99.1
<TEXT>
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<P ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="km1581_exhibit_99.1"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_km1581_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Exhibit 99.1    <BR>    </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>Press
Release<BR></FONT> <FONT SIZE=2><B>For More Information, Call:  </B></FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="49%"><FONT SIZE=2>GAYLA J. DELLY<BR>
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;<BR>
OCTOBER 5, 2004</FONT></TD>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2>(979)&nbsp;849-6550 </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><B><I>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</I></B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS EXPECTS TO MEET OR EXCEED<BR>
THIRD QUARTER 2004 ANALYSTS' CONSENSUS  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>ANGLETON,
TX, OCTOBER 5, 2004&#151;Benchmark Electronics,&nbsp;Inc. (NYSE: BHE) announced today that it expects to meet or exceed third quarter 2004 analysts' consensus of $498&nbsp;million
revenues and earnings per share of $0.41. The Company provided third quarter revenue guidance of
$485&nbsp;million to $505&nbsp;million, with corresponding diluted earnings per share of $0.38 to $0.43 on July&nbsp;22, 2004. </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>The
Company is currently finalizing its financial closing for the third quarter ended September&nbsp;30, 2004. Results for the third quarter will be announced on October&nbsp;21, 2004. A
conference call hosted by Benchmark management will be held at 10:00 am (Central time) on October&nbsp;21, 2004 to discuss the financial results of the Company and its future outlook. This call will
be broadcast via the Internet and may be accessed by logging on to our website at www.bench.com. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>This
news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the scope of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The words "expect," "estimate," "anticipate,"
"predict," and similar expressions, and the negatives of such expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that these statements are based upon
reasonable assumptions, such statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including but not limited to industry and economic conditions, customer actions and the other factors discussed in
Benchmark's Form&nbsp;10-K for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 2003 and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these risks or
uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those indicated. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>Benchmark
Electronics,&nbsp;Inc. is in the business of manufacturing electronics and provides its services to original equipment manufacturers of computers and related products for business
enterprises, medical devices, industrial control equipment, testing and instrumentation products, and telecommunication equipment. Benchmark's global operations include facilities in eight countries.
Benchmark's Common Stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BHE. </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>###
</FONT></P>

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<BR>
<P><br><A NAME="04HOU1581_2">QuickLinks</A><br></P><!-- TOC_BEGIN -->
<UL>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_km1581_1">Exhibit 99.1</A></FONT><BR>
</UL>
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