	September 30,			December 31,
(in thousands, except par value)	2008			2007
	(unaudited)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	341,361		$	199,198
Short-term investments		—			182,825
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
accounts of $982 and $1,406, respectively		415,455			485,907
Inventories, net		362,692			361,952
Prepaid expenses and other assets		38,529			60,847
Deferred income taxes		12,675			14,562
Total current assets		1,170,712			1,305,291
Long-term investments		47,907			—
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated
depreciation of $253,932 and $233,439 respectively		141,745			144,182
Goodwill, net		283,194			283,725
Other, net		25,810			29,650
	$	1,669,368		$	1,762,848
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term
debt and capital lease obligations	$	273		$	430
Accounts payable		289,725			359,422
Income taxes payable		76			1,699
Accrued liabilities		58,621			59,509
Total current liabilities		348,695			421,060
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, less
current installments		11,749			12,096
Other long-term liabilities		29,337			31,762
Deferred income taxes		12,164			9,408
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred shares, $0.10 par value; 5,000 shares
authorized, none issued		—			—
Common shares, $0.10 par value; 145,000 shares
authorized; issued - 65,822 and 70,687, respectively;
outstanding - 65,711 and 70,576, respectively		6,571			7,058
Additional paid-in capital		743,334			793,272
Retained earnings		525,222			486,848
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		(7,432	)		1,616
Less treasury shares, at cost; 111 shares		(272	)		(272	)
Total shareholders’ equity		1,267,423			1,288,522
Commitments and contingencies
	$	1,669,368		$	1,762,848

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2008			2007			2008			2007
(in thousands, except per share data)
Sales	$	641,672		$	672,595		$	2,008,397		$	2,181,372
Cost of sales		597,376			633,818			1,872,859			2,033,612
Gross profit		44,296			38,777			135,538			147,760
Selling, general and
administrative expenses		21,329			21,999			67,266			69,466
Amortization of intangibles		446			447			1,340			1,341
Restructuring charges and integration costs		253			1,451			253			7,001
Income from operations		22,268			14,880			66,679			69,952
Interest income		1,680			3,106			6,909			7,555
Interest expense		(378	)		(411	)		(1,102	)		(1,786	)
Other income (expense)		(790	)		725			1,547			1,578
Income before income taxes		22,780			18,300			74,033			77,299
Income tax benefit (expense)		1,145			3,709			(5,057	)		(4,893	)
Net income	$	23,925		$	22,009		$	68,976		$	72,406

Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.36		$	0.30		$	1.02		$	1.00
Diluted	$	0.36		$	0.30		$	1.01		$	0.99

Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:
Basic		66,268			72,951			67,693			72,314
Diluted		66,630			73,626			68,251			73,313

	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	September 30,					September 30,
	2008			2007		2008			2007
(in thousands)
Net income	$	23,925		$	22,009	$	68,976		$	72,406
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(8,753	)		2,793		(3,280	)		6,263
Unrealized loss on investments		(2,852	)		—		(5,768	)		—
Comprehensive income	$	12,320		$	24,802	$	59,928		$	78,669

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows:

	September 30,			December 31,
(in thousands)	2008			2007
Cumulative foreign currency translation gains (losses)	$	(1,664	)	$	1,616
Unrealized loss on investments		(5,768	)		—
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(7,432	)	$	1,616

													Accumulated
							Additional						other						Total
				Common			paid-in			Retained			comprehensive			Treasury			shareholders’
(in thousands)	Shares			shares			capital			earning			income (loss)			shares			equity
Balances, December 31, 2007		70,576		$	7,058		$	793,272		$	486,848		$	1,616		$	(272	)	$	1,288,522
Stock-based compensation expense		—			—			2,432			—			—			—			2,432
Shares repurchased and retired		(5,204	)		(521	)		(55,950	)		(30,602	)		—			—			(87,073	)
Stock options exercised		300			30			2,792			—			—			—			2,822
Issuance of restricted shares		39			4			(4	)		—			—			—			—
Federal tax benefit of
stock options exercised		—			—			792			—			—			—			792
Comprehensive income (loss)		—			—			—			68,976			(9,048	)		—			59,928
Balances, September 30, 2008		65,711		$	6,571		$	743,334		$	525,222		$	(7,432	)	$	(272	)	$	1,267,423

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,
(in thousands)	2008			2007
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	68,976		$	72,406
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		30,329			32,003
Deferred income taxes		4,643			7,256
Gain on the sale of property, plant and equipment		(46	)		(511	)
Asset impairments		—			273
Stock-based compensation expense		2,432			2,440
Federal tax benefit of disqualified dispositions		266			795
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects
from acquisitions:
Accounts receivable		69,521			146,553
Inventories		(1,945	)		113,795
Prepaid expenses and other assets		23,127			7,030
Accounts payable		(69,113	)		(123,155	)
Accrued liabilities		1,118			(26,058	)
Income taxes		(4,475	)		(6,094	)
Net cash provided by operations		124,833			226,733
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of investments		(162,709	)		(375,850	)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments		291,850			260,870
Additions to property, plant and equipment		(24,980	)		(12,257	)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment		235			1,889
Other		—			400
Additions to purchased software		(133	)		(1,626	)
Net cash acquired in acquisitions		—			181
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		104,263			(126,393	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from stock options exercised		2,822			8,793
Federal tax benefit of disqualified dispositions		526			1,635
Principal payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations		(539	)		(88,657	)
Proceeds from long-term debt		—			16,760
Share repurchases		(87,073	)		(2,407	)
Debt issuance cost		(234	)		—
Net cash used in financing activities		(84,498	)		(63,876	)
Effect of exchange rate changes		(2,435	)		3,245
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		142,163			39,709
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		199,198			123,872
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30	$	341,361		$	163,581

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (the Company) is a Texas corporation in the business of manufacturing electronics and provides services to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of computers and related products for business enterprises, medical devices, industrial control equipment, testing and instrumentation products and telecommunication equipment. The Company has manufacturing operations located in the Americas, Asia and Europe.

The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by the Company without an audit pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). The financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments which in the opinion of management are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

The Company’s stock awards plan permits the grant of a variety of types of awards, including stock options, restricted stock awards, stock appreciation rights, performance awards, and phantom stock awards, or any combination thereof, to key employees of the Company. Stock options are granted to employees with an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant, vest over a four-year period from the date of grant and have a term of ten years. Restricted shares granted to employees vest over a four-year period from the date of grant, subject to the continued employment of the employee by the Company. Members of the Board of Directors of the Company who are not employees of the Company participate in a separate stock option plan that provides for the granting of stock options upon the occurrence of the non-employee director’s election or re-election to the Board of Directors. All awards under the non-employee director stock option plan are fully vested upon the date of grant and have a term of ten years. As of September 30, 2008, 5.1 million additional options or other equity awards may be granted under the Company’s existing plans.

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (SFAS No. 123R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values. The total compensation cost recognized for equity awards was $0.4 million and $2.4 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2008, and $0.6 million and $2.4 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007. The compensation expense for stock-option awards includes an estimate for forfeitures and is recognized over the vesting period of the options using the straight-line method. SFAS No. 123R requires that cash flows from the tax benefits resulting from tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for stock-based awards (excess tax benefits) be classified as cash flows from financing activities. Awards of restricted shares are valued at the closing market price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant.

The Company did not issue any options during the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, the Company issued 51 thousand and 420 thousand options, respectively. In connection with the January 8, 2007 acquisition of Pemstar Inc. (Pemstar), all outstanding Pemstar options were converted into 369 thousand options of the Company on January 8, 2007. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The weighted-average assumptions used to value the options granted and the options converted from Pemstar during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, were as follows:

The expected term of the options represents the estimated period of time until exercise and is based on historical experience, giving consideration to the contractual terms, vesting schedules and expectations of future employee behavior. Separate groups of employees that have similar historical exercise behavior are considered separately for valuation purposes. Expected stock price volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury zero-coupon rates in effect at the time of grant with an equivalent remaining term. The dividend yield reflects that the Company has not paid any cash dividends since inception.

The weighted-average fair value per option granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was $8.64. The total cash received as a result of stock option exercises for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was approximately $2.8 million and $8.8 million, respectively, and the tax benefit realized as a result of the stock option exercises was $0.8 million and $2.4 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, the total intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $2.4 million and $7.7 million, respectively.

						Weighted-
				Weighted-		Average
				Average		Remaining		Aggregate
	Number of			Exercise		Contractual		Intrinsic
	Options			Price		Term (Years)		Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2007		5,875		$	19.15		6.32
Granted		51		$	17.43
Exercised		(300	)	$	9.41
Forfeited or expired		(293	)	$	23.30
Outstanding at September 30, 2008		5,333		$	19.45		5.82	$	4,699
Exercisable at September 30, 2008		3,355		$	17.84		4.38	$	4,699

Basic earnings per share is computed using the weighted-average number of shares outstanding, adjusted for restricted shares. Diluted earnings per share is computed using the weighted-average number of shares outstanding adjusted for the incremental shares attributed to outstanding stock equivalents and contingently returnable restricted shares, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007. Stock equivalents include common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and other equity instruments, and are computed using the treasury stock method. The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share.

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2008		2007		2008		2007
Numerator for basic earnings per share -
net income	$	23,925	$	22,009	$	68,976	$	72,406
Interest expense on convertible debt, net
of tax		—		—		—		147
Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$	23,925	$	22,009	$	68,976	$	72,553
Denominator for basic earnings per share -
weighted-average number of common
shares outstanding during the period		66,268		72,951		67,693		72,314
Incremental common shares attributable to
exercise of outstanding dilutive options		276		526		455		699
Incremental common shares attributable to
conversion of 6.5% convertible debt		—		—		—		160
Incremental common shares attributable
to exercise of warrants		47		149		75		140
Incremental common shares attributable to
contingently returnable restricted shares		39		—		28		—
Denominator for diluted earnings per share		66,630		73,626		68,251		73,313
Basic earnings per share	$	0.36	$	0.30	$	1.02	$	1.00
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.36	$	0.30	$	1.01	$	0.99

Options to purchase 4.0 million and 3.7 million common shares for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the option exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares for the respective periods. Options to purchase 1.5 million and 3.0 million common shares for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the option exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares for the respective periods.

Interest on outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement is payable quarterly, at the Company’s option, at either LIBOR plus 0.75% to 1.75% or a prime rate plus 0.00% to 0.25%, based upon the Company’s debt ratio as specified in the Credit Agreement. A commitment fee of 0.15% to 0.35% per annum (based upon the Company’s debt ratio) on the unused portion of the revolving credit line is payable quarterly in arrears. As of September 30, 2008, the Company had no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement, $1.0 million in outstanding letters of credit and $99.0 million was available for future borrowings.

The Credit Agreement is secured by the Company’s domestic inventory and accounts receivable, 100% of the stock of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries, 65% of the voting capital stock of each direct foreign subsidiary and substantially all of the other tangible and intangible assets of the Company and its domestic subsidiaries. The Credit Agreement contains customary financial covenants as to working capital, debt leverage, fixed charges, and consolidated net worth, and restricts the ability of the Company to incur additional debt, pay dividends, sell assets, and to merge or consolidate with other persons. As of September 30, 2008, the Company was in compliance with all such covenants and restrictions.

The Company’s Thailand subsidiary has a credit agreement with Kasikornbank Public Company Limited (the Thai Credit Agreement). The Thai Credit Agreement provides that the lender will make available to the Company’s Thailand subsidiary up to approximately $16 million in revolving loans and machinery loans. The Thai Credit Agreement is secured by land, buildings and machinery in Thailand. In addition, the Thai Credit Agreement provides for approximately $1.8 million (62 million Thai baht) in working capital availability in the form of working capital loans (10 million Thai baht) and bank guarantees (52 million Thai baht). Availability of funds under the Thai Credit Agreement is reviewed annually and is currently accessible through September 2009. As of September 30, 2008, the Company’s Thailand subsidiary had no working capital borrowings outstanding.

The Company considers earnings from foreign subsidiaries to be indefinitely reinvested and, accordingly, no provision for U.S. federal and state income taxes has been made for these earnings. Upon distribution of foreign subsidiary earnings in the form of dividends or otherwise, such distributed earnings would be reportable for U.S. income tax purposes (subject to adjustment for foreign tax credits). Determination of the amount of any unrecognized deferred tax liability on these undistributed earnings is currently not practical.

The Company has been granted certain tax incentives, including tax holidays, for its subsidiaries in China, Ireland, Malaysia and Thailand. These tax incentives, including tax holidays, expire on various dates through 2012, and are subject to certain conditions with which the Company expects to comply. The net impact of these tax incentives was to lower income tax expense for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 by approximately $13.1 million (approximately $0.20 per diluted share) and $12.1 million (approximately $0.16 per diluted share), respectively.

On January 1, 2007, the Company adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (FIN 48). FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken in a tax return. Under FIN 48, the Company must determine whether it is “more-likely-than-not” that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. Once it is determined that a position meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the position is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. FIN 48 applies to all tax positions related to income taxes subject to SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”.

As of September 30, 2008, the total amount of the reserve for uncertain tax benefits including interest and penalties is $26.9 million. The reserve is classified as a current or long-term liability in the consolidated balance sheet based on the Company’s expectation of when the items will be settled in cash. The amount of accrued potential interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits included in the reserve as of September 30, 2008 is $2.2 million and $1.6 million, respectively. During the three months ended September 30, 2008, the reserve was reduced by $3.7 million primarily as a result of the expiration of the statute of limitations for a worthless stock deduction. No other material changes affected the reserve during the quarter. During the next twelve months, it is reasonably possible that the reserve for uncertain tax benefits will decrease by an additional $5.1 million mainly due to the expiration of the statute of limitations for additional worthless stock deductions and other prior year unrecognized tax benefits. As of September 30, 2008, the Company’s business locations in China, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Singapore, Thailand and the United States remain open to examination by the various local taxing authorities, in total or in part, for fiscal years 2001 to 2008.

The Company has manufacturing facilities in the Americas, Asia and Europe to serve its customers. The Company is operated and managed geographically. The Company’s management evaluates performance and allocates the Company’s resources on a geographic basis. Intersegment sales are generally recorded at prices that approximate arm’s length transactions. Operating segments’ measure of profitability is based on income from operations. The accounting policies for the reportable operating segments are the same as for the Company taken as a whole. The Company has three reportable operating segments: the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Information about operating segments was as follows:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2008			2007			2008			2007
Sales:
Americas	$	410,444		$	458,499		$	1,322,700		$	1,591,600
Asia		234,766			254,763			714,430			710,695
Europe		58,487			74,553			199,891			272,875
Elimination of intersegment sales		(62,025	)		(115,220	)		(228,624	)		(393,798	)
	$	641,672		$	672,595		$	2,008,397		$	2,181,372
Depreciation and amortization:
Americas	$	4,374		$	5,628		$	13,073		$	15,937
Asia		4,108			4,492			12,556			12,394
Europe		733			629			2,039			1,882
Corporate		907			483			2,661			1,790
	$	10,122		$	11,232		$	30,329		$	32,003
Income from operations:
Americas	$	9,043		$	4,776		$	31,360		$	37,660
Asia		18,415			16,780			55,427			46,087
Europe		1,438			504			2,789			2,559
Corporate and intersegment eliminations		(6,628	)		(7,180	)		(22,897	)		(16,354	)
	$	22,268		$	14,880		$	66,679		$	69,952
Capital expenditures:
Americas	$	2,427		$	1,064		$	9,122		$	3,503
Asia		3,503			502			13,818			7,296
Europe		573			219			1,981			761
Corporate		5			1,261			192			2,323
	$	6,508		$	3,046		$	25,113		$	13,883

	September 30,		December 31,
	2008		2007
Total assets:
Americas	$	759,561	$	853,562
Asia		501,277		514,078
Europe		128,694		140,948
Corporate and other		279,836		254,260
	$	1,669,368	$	1,762,848

The Company is subject to examination by tax authorities for varying periods in various U.S. and foreign tax jurisdictions. During the course of such examinations disputes occur as to matters of fact and/or law. Also, in most tax jurisdictions the passage of time without examination will result in the expiration of applicable statutes of limitations thereby precluding the taxing authority from conducting an examination of the tax period(s) for which such statute of limitation has expired. The Company believes that it has adequately provided for its tax liabilities.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS No. 157), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted accounting principles, and expands the requisite disclosures for fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 is effective in fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) No. 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157,” which delays the effective date of SFAS 157 one year for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157 related to financial assets and liabilities. See Note 14. On January 1, 2009, the Company will adopt the provisions for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities that are not required or permitted to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis, which include those measured at fair value in goodwill impairment testing, indefinite-lived intangible assets measured at fair value for impairment assessment, nonfinancial long-lived assets measured at fair value for impairment assessment, asset retirement obligations initially measured at fair value, and those initially measured at fair value in a business combination. The Company is still in the process of evaluating SFAS No. 157 with respect to its effect on nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities and has not yet determined the impact that it will have on its financial statements upon full adoption in 2009.

On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 159 “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities-Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (SFAS No. 159). SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected are reported in earnings. The adoption of SFAS No. 159 did not have an effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations as it did not elect the fair value option.

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities-an amendment of FASB Statement No.133” (SFAS No. 161). SFAS No. 161 requires enhanced disclosures about derivative and hedging activities. This statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company will be required to adopt SFAS No. 161 as of January 1, 2009. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of SFAS No. 161 will have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In April 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets” (FSP No. 142-3). FSP No. 142-3 amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (SFAS No. 142). FSP No. 142-3 applies to all intangible assets, whether acquired in a business combination or otherwise, and shall be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. FSP No. 142-3 shall be applied prospectively to intangible assets acquired after the effective date. Early adoption of FSP No. 142-3 is prohibited. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that FSP No. 142-3 will have on its financial statements.

In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (SFAS No. 162). SFAS No. 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements presented in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. SFAS No. 162 is effective 60 days following the SEC’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to AU Section 411, “The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles”. The implementation of this standard will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.

In October 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active” (FSP No. 157-3). FSP No. 157-3 clarifies the application of SFAS No. 157 in a market that is not active and illustrates how an entity would determine fair value of a financial asset when the market for that financial asset is not active. FSP No. 157-3 provides guidance on how an entity’s own assumptions about cash flows and discount rates should be considered when measuring fair value when relevant market data does not exist, how observable market information in an inactive or dislocated market affects fair value measurements and how the use of broker and pricing service quotes should be considered when applying fair value measurements. FSP No. 157-3 is effective immediately as of September 30, 2008 and for all interim and annual periods thereafter. The adoption of FSP No. 157-3 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

The Company has undertaken initiatives to restructure its business operations with the intention of improving utilization and realizing cost savings in the future. These initiatives have included changing the number and location of production facilities, largely to align capacity and infrastructure with current and anticipated customer demand. This alignment includes transferring programs from higher cost geographies to lower cost geographies. The process of restructuring entails, among other activities, moving production between facilities, reducing staff levels, realigning our business processes and reorganizing our management.

The Company recognized restructuring charges during 2007 related to reductions in workforce and the re-sizing of certain facilities. These charges were recorded pursuant to plans developed and approved by management. Restructuring charges associated with these realignment efforts primarily related to the closure of our Redmond, Washington facility, the transfer of the Company’s printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) operations in Dublin, Ireland to Brasov, Romania and the consolidation and resizing of certain other facilities.

				Facility			Other
				Lease			Exit			Total
	Severance			Costs			Costs			Costs
Balance as of December 31, 2007	$	171		$	1,011		$	541		$	1,723
Provision for charges incurred		—			(143	)		—			(143	)
Payments		(171	)		(230	)		(484	)		(885	)
Balance as of March 31, 2008		—			638			57			695
Provision for charges incurred		—			—			(57	)		(57	)
Payments		—			(121	)		—			(121	)
Balance as of June 30, 2008		—			517			—			517
Payments		—			(183	)		—			(183	)
Balance as of September 30, 2008	$	—		$	334		$	—		$	334

The Company also recorded an assumed liability for expected involuntary employee termination costs and facility closures in connection with the acquisition of Pemstar. Costs associated with restructuring activities related to a purchase business combination are accounted for in accordance with Emerging Issue Task Force Issue (EITF) No. 95-3, “Recognition of Liabilities in Connection with a Purchase Business Combination”. Accordingly, costs associated with such plans are recorded as a liability assumed as of the consummation date of the purchase business combination and included in the cost of the acquired entity. The following table summarizes the provisions, the respective payments, activity and remaining accrued balance as of September 30, 2008 related to restructuring costs recorded pursuant to EITF No. 95-3 during 2007:

	Facility			Other
	Lease			Exit			Total
	Costs			Costs			Costs
Balance as of December 31, 2007	$	808		$	1,617		$	2,425
Payments		(160	)		(194	)		(354	)
Non-cash charges incurred		—			(452	)		(452	)
Foreign exchange adjustments		40			69			109
Balance as of March 31, 2008		688			1,040			1,728
Provision for charges incurred		(1	)		(511	)		(512	)
Payments		(2	)		(139	)		(141	)
Foreign exchange adjustments		(112	)		104			(8	)
Balance as of June 30, 2008		573			494			1,067
Foreign exchange adjustments		(41	)		(36	)		(77	)
Balance as of September 30, 2008	$	532		$	458		$	990

In addition, the Company recognized restructuring charges during 2008 related to reductions in workforce in certain facilities. These charges were recorded pursuant to plans developed and approved by management. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company recognized $0.3 million and $0.9 million of employee termination costs associated with the involuntary terminations of employees in connection with reductions in workforce of certain facilities. As of September 30, 2008, the Company had paid these costs.

On July 25, 2007, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the repurchase of up to $125 million of the Company’s outstanding common shares. On July 21, 2008, the Company completed the repurchase of 6.8 million of its common shares under the $125 million share repurchase program approved in July 2007. On July 24, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the additional repurchase of up to $100 million of the Company’s outstanding common shares. Share purchases may be made in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or block transactions, at the discretion of the Company’s management and as market conditions warrant. Purchases will be funded from available cash and may be commenced, suspended or discontinued at any time without prior notice. Shares repurchased under the program will be retired.

SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted accounting principles and enhances disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined under SFAS No. 157 as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. SFAS No. 157 establishes a hierarchy of inputs employed to determine fair value measurements, with three levels. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets and liabilities. Level 2 inputs are observable prices that are not quoted on active exchanges, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs employed for measuring the fair value of assets or liabilities. This hierarchy required the Company to use observable market data, when available, and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value.

As of September 30, 2008, $53.7 million (par value) of long-term investments were recorded at fair value. The long-term investments consist of auction rate securities that were reclassified from short-term during the three months ended March 31, 2008, due to the overall changes that have occurred in the global credit and capital markets that have led to failed auctions. These failed auctions have impacted the liquidity of these investments and have resulted in our continuing to hold these securities beyond their typical auction reset dates. The market for these types of securities remains illiquid as of September 30, 2008.

The adoption of SFAS No. 157 impacted the calculation of fair value associated with the Company’s investments. The long-term investments, consisting of auction rate securities, were valued using Level 2 inputs during the first and second quarters of 2008. Due to the current global financial and credit crisis and the continued illiquidity of these securities, the Company has transferred these securities from Level 2 to Level 3 as of September 30, 2008, as the assets were subject to valuation using significant unobservable inputs. The fair value of each security was estimated using a discounted cash flow model to calculate the present value of projected cash flows based on a number of factors including the security structure and terms, expected weighted average life and estimated fail rate coupon.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company recorded an unrealized loss of $2.9 million and $5.8 million, respectively, on the long-term investments. The Company has determined that this reduction in fair value is temporary in nature, after considering factors including that the decline in fair value originally occurred in the first quarter of 2008 as a result of the market dislocations that caused the auction process to fail and not because of any deterioration in the credit quality or actual performance of the underlying securities. Additional declines in value occurred in the third quarter of 2008, as a result of widened credit spreads and the overall financial market instability. The Company has the intent and ability to hold these investments for a period of time sufficient to allow for the anticipated recovery in the market value and management intends to hold each investment until the earlier of its recovery or maturity. This unrealized loss reduced the fair value of the Company’s auction rate securities as of September 30, 2008 to $47.9 million. These securities are classified as long-term investments due to the contractual maturity of the underlying securities being over ten years, and the cumulative unrealized loss is included as a component of other comprehensive income within shareholders’ equity in the Company’s balance sheet. The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance of our auction rate securities classified as long-term investments measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 under SFAS No. 157):

References in this report to “the Company,” “Benchmark,” “we,” or “us” mean Benchmark Electronics, Inc. together with its subsidiaries. The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are identified as any statement that does not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “projection,” “forecast,” “strategy,” “position,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” or the negative of those terms or other variations of them or comparable terminology. In particular, statements, express or implied, concerning future operating results or the ability to generate sales, income or cash flow are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those discussed under Part II, Item 1A of this report. The future results of our operations may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Many of the factors that will determine these results are beyond our ability to control or predict. Undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statements. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those indicated.

We are in the business of manufacturing electronics and provide our services to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of computers and related products for business enterprises, medical devices, industrial control equipment, testing and instrumentation products, and telecommunication equipment. The services that we provide are commonly referred to as electronics manufacturing services (EMS). We offer our customers comprehensive and integrated design and manufacturing services, from initial product design to volume production and direct order fulfillment. Our manufacturing and assembly operations include printed circuit boards and subsystem assembly, box build and systems integration, the process of integrating subsystems and, often, downloading and integrating software, to produce a fully configured product. We also provide specialized engineering services, including product design, printed circuit board layout, prototyping, and test development. We believe that we have developed strengths in the manufacturing process for large, complex, high-density printed circuit boards as well as the ability to manufacture high and low volume products in lower cost regions such as Brazil, China, Malaysia, Mexico, Romania and Thailand.

As our customers have continued to expand their globalization strategy during the past several years, we have made the necessary changes to align our business operations with our customers’ demand. These changes include, among other activities, moving production between facilities, reducing staff levels, realigning our business processes and reorganizing our management. During the three months ended September 30, 2008, the Company recognized $0.3 million (pre-tax) of employee termination costs associated with the involuntary terminations of employees in connection with reductions in workforce of certain facilities. During the year ended December 31, 2007, we incurred $4.7 million (pre-tax) of restructuring charges, primarily related to the closure of our Redmond, Washington facility, the transfer of the Company’s printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) operations in Dublin, Ireland to Brasov, Romania and the consolidation and resizing of certain other facilities, as we continued to expand our low-cost capacity while realigning and further strengthening our global footprint to support continued business opportunities. In connection with the acquisition of Pemstar Inc. (Pemstar) on January 8, 2007, a total of $7.0 million (pre-tax) in integration costs were incurred during the year ended December 31, 2007. These costs included redundant operating costs that have been eliminated.

We believe that our global manufacturing presence increases our ability to be responsive to our customers’ needs by providing accelerated time-to-market and time-to-volume production of high quality products. These capabilities should enable us to build stronger strategic relationships with our customers and to become a more integral part of their operations. Our customers face challenges in planning, procuring and managing their inventories efficiently due to customer demand fluctuations, product design changes, short product life cycles and component price fluctuations. We employ production management systems to manage their procurement and manufacturing processes in an efficient and cost-effective manner so that, where possible, components arrive on a just-in-time, as-and-when needed basis. We are a significant purchaser of electronic components and other raw materials, and can capitalize on the economies of scale associated with our relationships with suppliers to negotiate price discounts, obtain components and other raw materials that are in short supply, and return excess components. Our expertise in supply chain management and our relationships with suppliers across the supply chain enables us to reduce our customers’ cost of goods sold and inventory exposure.

We recognize revenue from the sale of circuit board assemblies, systems and excess inventory when the goods are shipped, title and risk of ownership have passed, the price to the buyer is fixed and determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. Revenue from design, development and engineering services is recognized when the services are performed and collectibility is reasonably certain. Such services provided under fixed price contracts are accounted for using the percentage of completion method. We assume no significant obligations after product shipment as we typically warrant workmanship only. Therefore, our warranty provisions are immaterial.

Our cost of sales includes the cost of materials, electronic components and other materials that comprise the products we manufacture, the cost of labor and manufacturing overhead, and adjustments for excess and obsolete inventory. Our procurement of materials for production requires us to commit significant working capital to our operations and to manage the purchasing, receiving, inspection and stocking of materials. Although we bear the risk of fluctuations in the cost of materials and excess scrap, we periodically negotiate cost of materials adjustments with our customers. Our gross margin for any product depends on the sales price, the proportionate mix of the cost of materials in the product and the cost of labor and manufacturing overhead allocated to the product. We typically have the potential to realize higher gross margins on products where the proportionate level of labor and manufacturing overhead is greater than that of materials. As we gain experience in manufacturing a product, we usually achieve increased efficiencies, which result in lower labor and manufacturing overhead costs for that product and higher gross margins.

Sales for the three months ended September 30, 2008 decreased 5% to $641.7 million compared to $672.6 million for the same period of 2007 primarily as a result of reduced corporate information technology spending. Sales to our largest customer, Sun Microsystems, Inc., represented 14% of our sales in the third quarter 2008 compared to 17% of our sales in the third quarter of 2007. Sales to this customer decreased $24.7 million from $117.2 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $92.5 million in the third quarter of 2008. This decrease is primarily attributable to a combination of reduced demand for certain maturing products and partly due to the timing of certain product transitions. Recent unfavorable economic conditions and uncertainty because of fluctuating circumstances in the global financial markets is impacting businesses around the globe.

Our gross profit as a percentage of sales increased to 6.9% in the three months ended September 30, 2008 from 5.8% in same period of 2007. This increase was primarily due to the reduction of fixed costs (such as facility and personnel expenses) from the same quarter in 2007. We experienced significantly lower sales volume in the third quarter of 2007 compared to the second quarter of 2007 which resulted in under absorbed fixed costs at that time. We do experience fluctuations in gross profit from period to period. Comparing 2008 to 2007, the fluctuations were due primarily to changes in production levels, production mix, inventory levels, new program ramps, product crossovers and other factors. Different programs can contribute different gross profits depending on factors such as the types of services involved, location of production, size of the program, complexity of the product, and level of material costs associated with the various products. New programs can contribute relatively less to our gross profit in their early stages when manufacturing volumes are usually lower, resulting in inefficiencies and unabsorbed manufacturing overhead costs. In addition, new and higher volume programs remain subject to competitive constraints that could exert downward pressure on our margins.

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based upon our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Our significant accounting policies are summarized in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to allowance for doubtful accounts, inventories, deferred taxes, impairment of long-lived assets, and contingencies and litigation. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates. We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Our accounts receivable balance is recorded net of allowances for amounts not expected to be collected from our customers. Because our accounts receivable are typically unsecured, we periodically evaluate the collectibility of our accounts based on a combination of factors, including a particular customer’s ability to pay as well as the age of the receivables. To evaluate a specific customer’s ability to pay, we analyze financial statements, payment history, third-party credit analysis reports and various information or disclosures by the customer or other publicly available information. In cases where the evidence suggests a customer may not be able to satisfy its obligation to us, we set up a specific allowance in an amount we determine appropriate for the perceived risk. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.

We purchase inventory based on forecasted demand and record inventory at the lower of cost or market. We reserve for estimated obsolescence as necessary in an amount equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and estimated market value based on assumptions of future demands and market conditions. We evaluate our inventory valuation on a quarterly basis based on current and forecasted usage and the latest forecasts of product demand and production requirements from our customers. Customers frequently make changes to their forecasts, requiring us to make changes to our inventory purchases, commitments, and production scheduling and may require us to cancel open purchase commitments with our vendors. This process may lead to on-hand inventory quantities and on-order purchase commitments that are in excess of our customer’s revised needs, or parts that become obsolete before use in production. We record inventory reserves on excess and obsolete inventory. These reserves are established on inventory which we have determined that our customers are not responsible for or on inventory that we believe our customers are unable to fulfill their obligation to ultimately purchase such inventory from us. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those we projected, additional inventory write-downs may be required.

We estimate our income tax provision in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate, including estimating exposures related to examinations by taxing authorities. We must also make judgments regarding the ability to realize the deferred tax assets. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. While we have considered future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for the valuation allowance, in the event we were to subsequently determine that we would be able to realize our deferred tax assets in excess of our net recorded amount, an adjustment to the valuation allowance would increase income in the period such determination was made. Similarly, should we determine that we would not be able to realize all or part of our net deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the valuation allowance would reduce income in the period such determination was made.

We are subject to examination by tax authorities for varying periods in various U.S. and foreign tax jurisdictions. During the course of such examinations disputes occur as to matters of fact and/or law. Also, in most tax jurisdictions the passage of time without examination will result in the expiration of applicable statutes of limitations thereby precluding the taxing authority from conducting an examination of the tax period(s) for which such statute of limitations has expired. We believe that we have adequately provided for our tax liabilities.

In accordance with SFAS No. 144, long-lived assets, such as property, plant, and equipment, and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge would be recognized by the amount that the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.

Goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives are tested annually for impairment, and are tested for impairment more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. An impairment loss would be recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the asset’s fair value. We completed the annual impairment test during the fourth quarter of 2007 and determined that no impairment existed as of the date of the impairment test. Goodwill and intangible assets are measured at the reporting unit level, which we have determined to be consistent with our operating segments as defined in Note 8 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this report, by determining the fair values of the reporting units using a discounted cash flow model and comparing those fair values to the carrying values, including goodwill, of the reporting unit. As of September 30, 2008, we had net goodwill of approximately $283.2 million. Circumstances that may lead to impairment of goodwill include unforeseen decreases in future performance or industry demand, and the restructuring of our operations as a result of a change in our business strategy.

In accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123 (Revised 2004) and the Security and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 (SAB 107), we began recognizing stock-based compensation expense in our consolidated statement of income on January 1, 2006. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Option pricing models require the input of subjective assumptions, including the expected life of the option and the expected stock price volatility. Judgment is also required in estimating the number of option awards that are expected to vest as a result of satisfaction of time-based vesting schedules. If actual results or future changes in estimates differ significantly from our current estimates, stock-based compensation could increase or decrease. See Note 2 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this report.

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2008			2007			2008			2007
Sales		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%
Cost of sales		93.1			94.2			93.3			93.2
Gross profit		6.9			5.8			6.7			6.8
Selling, general and administrative expenses		3.3			3.3			3.3			3.2
Amortization of intangibles		0.1			0.1			0.1			0.1
Restructuring charges		0.0			0.2			0.0			0.3
Income from operations		3.5			2.2			3.3			3.2
Other income, net		0.1			0.5			0.4			0.3
Income before income taxes		3.6			2.7			3.7			3.5
Income tax benefit (expense)		0.2			0.6			(0.3	)		(0.2	)
Net income		3.7	%		3.3	%		3.4	%		3.3	%

Sales for the third quarter of 2008 were $641.7 million, a 5% decrease from sales of $672.6 million for the same quarter in 2007. Sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 were $2.0 billion, an 8% decrease from sales of $2.2 billion for the same period in 2007. The decrease in sales is primarily a result of reduced corporate information technology spending. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the percentages of our sales by industry sector.

A substantial percentage of our sales have been made to a small number of customers, and the loss of a major customer, if not replaced, would adversely affect us. Sales to our largest customer decreased $24.7 million from $117.2 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $92.5 million in the third quarter of 2008. Sales to our largest customer decreased $157.7 million from $490.5 million in the first nine months of 2007 to $332.8 million in the first nine months of 2008. This decrease is primarily attributable to a combination of reduced demand for certain maturing products and partly due to the timing of certain product transitions. Our future sales are dependent on the success of our customers, some of which operate in businesses associated with rapid technological change and consequent product obsolescence. Developments adverse to our major customers or their products, or the failure of a major customer to pay for components or services, could have an adverse effect on us. Recent unfavorable economic conditions and uncertainty because of fluctuating circumstances in the global financial markets is impacting businesses around the globe.

Our international operations are subject to the risks of doing business abroad. These risks have not had a material adverse effect on our results of operations through September 30, 2008. However, we can make no assurances that there will not be an adverse impact in the future. See Part II, Item 1A for factors pertaining to our international sales and fluctuations in the exchange rates of foreign currency and for further discussion of potential adverse effects in operating results associated with the risks of doing business abroad. During the first nine months of 2008 and 2007, 49% and 42%, respectively, of our sales were from our international operations.

Gross profit was $44.3 million, or 6.9% of sales, for the three months ended September 30, 2008 compared to $38.8 million, or 5.8% of sales, in the same period of 2007. This increase was primarily due to the reduction of fixed costs (such as facility and personnel expenses) from the same quarter in 2007. We experienced significantly lower sales volume in the third quarter of 2007 compared to the second quarter of 2007 which resulted in under absorbed fixed costs at that time.

We do experience fluctuations in gross profit from period to period. Comparing 2008 to 2007, the fluctuations were due primarily to changes in production levels, production mix, inventory levels, new program ramps, product crossovers and other factors. Different programs can contribute different gross profits depending on factors such as the types of services involved, location of production, size of the program, complexity of the product, and level of material costs associated with the various products. New programs can contribute relatively less to our gross profit in their early stages when manufacturing volumes are usually lower, resulting in inefficiencies and unabsorbed manufacturing overhead costs. In addition, new and higher volume programs remain subject to competitive constraints that could exert downward pressure on our margins.

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 3% to $21.3 million in the third quarter of 2008 from $22.0 million in the third quarter of 2007 and decreased 3% to $67.3 million in the first nine months of 2008 from $69.5 million in the first nine months of 2007. The decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses is primarily due to reduced overhead resulting from cost controls and lower variable compensation and employee related expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of sales, were 3.3% and 3.3%, respectively, for the third quarter of 2008 and 2007, and 3.3% and 3.2%, respectively, for the first nine months of 2008 and 2007.

We recognized $0.3 million in restructuring charges during each of the third quarter and the first nine months of 2008, and $1.5 million and $7.0 million in restructuring charges and integration costs during the third quarter and during the first nine months of 2007, respectively, related to reductions in workforce and the re-sizing and closure of certain facilities and the integration of the facilities acquired from Pemstar. In connection with these activities, we recorded restructuring charges for employee termination costs and other restructuring and integration related costs.

The recognition of the restructuring charges requires that we make certain judgments and estimates regarding the nature, timing and amount of costs associated with the planned exit activity. To the extent our actual results in exiting these facilities differ from our estimates and assumptions, we may be required to revise the estimates of future liabilities, requiring the recognition of additional restructuring charges or the reduction of liabilities already recognized. At the end of each reporting period, we evaluate the remaining accrued balances to ensure that no excess accruals are retained and the utilization of the provisions are for their intended purpose in accordance with developed exit plans. See Note 12 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this report.

Income tax expense of $5.1 million represented an effective tax rate of 6.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared with $4.9 million at an effective tax rate of 6.3% for the same period in 2007. The increase in the effective tax rate is primarily due to tax benefits recorded in both periods for which the benefit in 2007 was larger than the benefit in 2008. In 2007, we recorded a benefit related to a previously closed facility that generated a worthless stock deduction of $6.5 million recorded in the third quarter of 2007, compared to $3.4 million recorded in 2008. Excluding these tax benefits, the effective tax rate was 11.5% in 2008 compared with 14.7% in 2007. The decrease is a result of an increase in the percentage of pre-tax income earned in foreign locations in the first nine months of 2008 as compared to the first nine months of 2007. See Note 7 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this report.

Cash provided by operating activities was $124.8 million in 2008. The cash provided by operations during 2008 consisted primarily of $69.0 million of net income adjusted for $30.3 million of depreciation and amortization, a $69.5 million decrease in accounts receivable, and a $23.1 million decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets, offset by a $1.9 million increase in inventories and a $69.1 million decrease in accounts payable. Working capital was $822.0 million at September 30, 2008 and $884.2 million at December 31, 2007. As of September 30, 2008, the $47.9 million of long-term investments consist of auction rate securities that were reclassified to long-term during the three months ended March 31, 2008, due to the overall changes that have occurred in the global credit and capital markets that have led to failed auctions. These failed auctions have impacted the liquidity of these investments and have resulted in our continuing to hold these securities beyond their typical auction reset dates. The decrease in working capital during 2008 is primarily a result of this reclassification from short-term to long-term investments, in addition to other items.

We are continuing the practice of purchasing components only after customer orders are received, which mitigates, but does not eliminate the risk of loss on inventories. Supplies of electronic components and other materials used in operations are subject to industry-wide shortages. In certain instances, suppliers may allocate available quantities to us. We did not experience shortages of electronic components and other material supplies during the reporting period. If shortages of these components and other material supplies used in operations occur, vendors may not ship the quantities we need for production and we may be forced to delay shipments, which would increase backorders.

Cash provided by investing activities was $104.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 primarily due to the sales and maturities of investments offset by additional purchases of property, plant and equipment and investments. Capital expenditures of $25.0 million were primarily concentrated in manufacturing production equipment in Asia to support our ongoing business and to expand certain existing manufacturing operations.

Cash used in financing activities was $84.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, share repurchases totaled $87.1 million. During 2008, we received $2.8 million from the exercise of stock options and $0.5 million in federal tax benefits of stock options exercised. Principal payments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations were $0.5 million in 2008.

Under the terms of a Credit Agreement (the Credit Agreement), we have a $100.0 million five-year revolving credit facility for general corporate purposes with a maturity date of December 21, 2012. The Credit Agreement includes an accordion feature under which total commitments under the facility may be increased by an additional $100 million, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions. Interest on outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement is payable quarterly, at our option, at LIBOR plus 0.75% to 1.75% or a prime rate plus 0.00% to 0.25%, based upon our debt ratio as specified in the Credit Agreement. A commitment fee of 0.15% to 0.35% per annum (based upon our debt ratio) on the unused portion of the revolving credit line is payable quarterly in arrears. As of September 30, 2008, we had no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement, $1.0 million letters of credit outstanding and $99.0 million was available for future borrowings.

The Credit Agreement is secured by our domestic inventory and accounts receivable, 100% of the stock of our domestic subsidiaries, and 65% of the voting capital stock of each direct foreign subsidiary and substantially all of our and our domestic subsidiaries’ other tangible and intangible assets. The Credit Agreement contains customary financial covenants as to working capital, debt leverage, fixed charges, and consolidated net worth, and restricts our ability to incur additional debt, pay dividends, sell assets and to merge or consolidate with other persons. As of September 30, 2008, we were in compliance with all such covenants and restrictions.

Our Thailand subsidiary has a credit agreement with Kasikornbank Public Company (the Thai Credit Agreement). The Thai Credit Agreement provides that the lender will make available to our Thailand subsidiary up to approximately $16 million in revolving loans and machinery loans. The Thai Credit Agreement is secured by land, buildings and machinery in Thailand. In addition, the Thai Credit Agreement provides for approximately $1.8 million (62 million Thai baht) in working capital availability in the form of working capital loans (10 million Thai baht) and bank guarantees (52 million Thai baht). Availability of funds under the Thai Credit Agreement is reviewed annually and is currently accessible through September 2009. As of September 30, 2008, our Thailand subsidiary had no working capital borrowings outstanding.

Our operations, and the operations of businesses we acquire, are subject to certain foreign, federal, state and local regulatory requirements relating to environmental, waste management, health and safety matters. We believe we operate in substantial compliance with all applicable requirements and we seek to ensure that newly acquired businesses comply or will comply substantially with applicable requirements. To date, the costs of compliance and workplace and environmental remediation have not been material to us. However, material costs and liabilities may arise from these requirements or from new, modified or more stringent requirements in the future. In addition, our past, current and future operations, and the operations of businesses we have or may acquire, may give rise to claims of exposure by employees or the public, or to other claims or liabilities relating to environmental, waste management or health and safety concerns.

As of September 30, 2008, we had cash and cash equivalents totaling $341.4 million and $99.0 million available for borrowings under our revolving credit line. We believe that during the next twelve months, our capital expenditures will be approximately $35 to $40 million, principally for machinery and equipment to support our ongoing business around the globe, in addition to our planned expansion in Asia, primarily a new building in China. On July 21, 2008, the Company completed the repurchase of 6.8 million shares under the $125 million share repurchase program approved in July 2007. On July 24, 2008, our Board of Directors approved the additional repurchase of up to $100 million of our outstanding common shares. We are under no commitment or obligation to repurchase any particular amount of common shares and share purchases may be suspended at any time at management’s discretion. Management believes that our existing cash balances and funds generated from operations will be sufficient to permit us to meet our liquidity requirements over the next twelve months. Management further believes that our ongoing cash flows from operations and any borrowings we may incur under our credit facilities will enable us to meet operating cash requirements in future years. Should we desire to consummate significant acquisition opportunities, our capital needs would increase and could possibly result in our need to increase available borrowings under our revolving credit facility or access public or private debt and equity markets. There can be no assurance, however, that we would be successful in raising additional debt or equity on terms that we would consider acceptable.

We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. As of September 30, 2008, we did not have any foreign currency hedges. In the future, significant transactions involving our international operations may cause us to consider engaging in hedging transactions to attempt to mitigate our exposure to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. These exposures are primarily, but not limited to, vendor payments and inter-company balances in currencies other than the currency in which our foreign operations primarily generate and expend cash. Our international operations in some instances operate in a natural hedge because both operating expenses and a portion of sales are denominated in local currency. Our sales are substantially denominated in U.S. dollars. Our foreign currency cash flows are generated in certain Asian and European countries, Mexico and Brazil.

We are also exposed to market risk for changes in interest rates, a portion of which relates to our investment portfolio. We do not use derivative financial instruments in our investment portfolio. We place cash and cash equivalents and investments with various major financial institutions. We protect our invested principal funds by limiting default risk, market risk and reinvestment risk. We mitigate default risk by generally investing in investment grade securities. As of September 30, 2008, the outstanding amount in the long-term investment portfolio included $47.9 million of auction rate securities with an average return of approximately 3.7%.

Our management has evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based upon such evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports filed or submitted by us under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in such reports is accumulated and communicated to management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Our management, including our CEO and CFO, does not expect that our disclosure controls and internal controls will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within our company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, a control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

Exhibits 31.1 and 31.2 are the Certifications of the CEO and the CFO, respectively. The Certifications are required in accordance with Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Section 302 Certifications”). This Item is the information concerning the Evaluation referred to in the Section 302 Certifications and this information should be read in conjunction with the Section 302 Certifications for a more complete understanding of the topics presented.

The recent unfavorable economic conditions and uncertainty because of fluctuating circumstances in the global financial markets is impacting businesses around the globe. Unfavorable changes in economic conditions, including inflation, recession, or other changes in economic conditions may result in lower information technology spending by businesses, which could in turn affect demand for our customers’ products and thus adversely affect our sales. Certain of our customers may face challenges gaining timely access to sufficient credit, which could result in an impairment of their ability to make timely payments to us. If that were to occur, we may be required to increase our allowance for doubtful accounts and our days sales outstanding would be negatively impacted. Additionally, the current market turbulence may also impact our critical suppliers causing them to be unable to supply, in a timely manner, sufficient quantities of customized components ordered by us, thereby impairing our ability to manufacture on schedule and at commercially reasonable costs.

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

(d) Maximum

Number (or

Number of

Approximate

Shares (or

Dollar Value)

Units)

of Shares (or

Purchased as

Units) that

(a) Total

Part of

May Yet Be

Number of

(b) Average

Publicly

Purchased

Shares (or

Price Paid per

Announced

Under the

Units)

Share (or

Plans or

Period

Purchased ⁽¹⁾

Unit)⁽²⁾

Programs

Programs ⁽³⁾

July 1 to 24, 2008

324,700

16.57

324,700

—

July 28 to 31, 2008

80,900

14.36

80,900

98.8 million

August 1 to 31, 2008

488,300

15.17

488,300

91.4 million

September 1 to 30, 2008

419,100

15.38

419,100

85.0 million

Total

1,313,000

15.53

1,313,000

⁽³⁾On July 25, 2007, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the repurchase of up to $125 million of the Company’s outstanding common shares. On July 24, 2008, the Company completed the repurchase of 6.8 million of its common shares under the $125 million share repurchase program approved in July 2007. On July 24, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the additional repurchase of up to $100 million of the Company’s outstanding common shares. Purchases under the plan commenced on July 28, 2008. Share purchases may be made in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or block transactions, at the discretion of the Company’s management and as market conditions warrant. Purchases will be funded from available cash and may be commenced, suspended or discontinued at any time without prior notice. Shares repurchased under the program will be retired.

Texas	74-2211011
(State or other jurisdiction	(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)	Identification No.)

3000 Technology Drive	77515
Angleton, Texas	(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)

Large accelerated filer þ	Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company o

		Page

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.	Financial Statements	2
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	2
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income	3
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income	4
	Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity	5
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	6
	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	7-20
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	21
Item 3 –	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	32
Item 4 –	Controls and Procedures	32

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	33
Item 1A.	Risk Factors.	33
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales Of Equity Securities And Use Of Proceeds.	34
Item 4.	Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.	35
Item 6.	Exhibits.	35
SIGNATURES		36
EXHIBIT INDEX		37

Shares	Exercise Price		Expiration Date
126	$	14.25		May 1, 2009
160	$	12.50		May 1, 2009
40	$	10.125		July 18, 2009

	Americas			Asia		Europe			Total
Goodwill, December 31, 2007	$	226,122		$	37,912	$	19,691		$	283,725
Currency translation adjustment		(21	)		—		(510	)		(531	)
Goodwill, September 30, 2008	$	226,101		$	37,912	$	19,181		$	283,194

			Weighted-
			Average
			Grant Date
	Shares		Fair Value
Non-vested shares outstanding at December 31, 2007		—		—
Granted		39	$	17.54
Non-vested shares outstanding at September 30, 2008		39	$	17.54

	Gross						Net
	Carrying			Accumulated			Carrying
	Amount			Amortization			Amount
Customer relationships, December 31, 2007	$	18,052		$	(1,864	)	$	16,188
Amortization of intangibles		—			(1,340	)		(1,340	)
Currency translation adjustment		(48	)		13			(35	)
Customer relationships, September 30, 2008	$	18,004		$	(3,191	)	$	14,813

Balance as of June 30, 2008	$	—
Transfers into Level 3		55,484
Net unrealized losses included in other comprehensive income (loss)		(2,852	)
Redemptions of investments		(4,725	)
Balance as of September 30, 2008	$	47,907
Unrealized losses still held	$	5,786


	BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS, INC. (Registrant)

	By:	/s/ Cary T. Fu
	Cary T. Fu Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)


	By:	/s/ Donald F. Adam
	Donald F. Adam Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)