March 21, 2018
North American Semiconductor Equipment Industry Posts February 2018 Billings
North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $2.41 billion in billings worldwide in February 2018 (three-month average basis), according to the February Equipment Market Data Subscription (EMDS) Billings Report published today by SEMI. The billings figure is 1.7 percent higher than the final January 2018 level of $2.37 billion, and is 22.2 percent higher than the February 2017 billings level of $1.97 billion. “February billings remain at a level indicating another positive year for semiconductor equipment spending," said Ajit Manocha, president and CEO of SEMI. “We expect 2018 to mark the third consecutive year of spending growth, which last occurred in the 1990s."
November 27, 2017
SEMICON Europa Logs Record Attendance in First Co-location with productronica in Munich
Europe strategically positioned to enable SMART applications worldwide
By Serena Brischetto, SEMI Europe
Munich was magic for SEMICON Europa last week as the exhibition both co-located with productronica and sold out for the first time on the strength of outstanding programs, networking events, technical presentations and business opportunities. The SEMICON Europa record attendance (since 2010) came against a backdrop of a thriving supply chain and record semiconductor industry performance in Europe. On track to reach $1 trillion by 2030, European semiconductor sales topped $400 billion in 2017 for the first time, with the Internet of Things (IoT), Automotive, Artificial Intelligence (AI), 5G and Quantum computing key growth drivers. Automotive Electronics alone is forecast to exceed $300 billion globally by 2020.
The high turnout at SEMICON Europa and productronica – 14-17 November 2017 at Messe München, Munich, Germany – demonstrates the growing importance of business networking and global cross-collaboration, supporting SEMI mantra of “Connect, Collaborate, and Innovate.” The show’s success validates the decision to move to the new co-location in Munich. Europe is strategically positioned in the global electronics supply chain to enable SMART applications as strong investment in its semiconductor industry continues.
November 20, 2017
The World’s Attention is on China’s Semiconductor Industry
The China International Semiconductor Executive Summit (CISES) was held in Shanghai on October 24-26, attracting global semiconductor manufacturing professionals from a wide variety of equipment and material suppliers. SEMI China President Lung Chu was invited to give a speech titled “Global Semiconductor Market Updates and the Rise of China IC Industry.”
Lung Chu presented on the latest market updates for the global semiconductor industry, factors driving the market, fab capacity, Capex and equipment, and opportunities and challenges for China's development of semiconductor industry (IC design, manufacturing, packaging & testing, and equipment & materials). He mentioned that the global semiconductor output value is expected to exceed $400 billion in 2017, and offered an analysis of the driving factors.
He stated that 2017 is an excellent year for Memory, while the IOT is also a major driver for the semiconductor industry in the long run. As the semiconductor industry has migrated, Asia Pacific productivity statistics jumped to 50 percent in 2016 from less than 30 percent in 2000, of which China accounting for 12 percent. China's IC manufacturing production capacity accounts for 15 percent of the world's total, and foundries, memory and discrete devices are the main drivers of China's semiconductor production capacity.
Lung Chu pointed out that there is still a gap between China's integrated circuit industry and the international IC industry. SEMI China will need to continue to build platforms for industry exchange and cooperation. For example, during the Beijing Microelectronics Forum, the SEMI Innovation and Investment Program (SIIP) China was formally established, which is one of the most influential China-focused platforms ─ where markets, technology, talent, and funding meet. SIIP helps to accelerate healthy development of China's semiconductor industry.
November 20, 2017
North American Semiconductor Equipment Industry Posts October 2017 Billings
MILPITAS, Calif. — November 21, 2017 — North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $2.02 billion in billings worldwide in October 2017 (three-month average basis), according to the October Equipment Market Data Subscription (EMDS) Billings Report published today by SEMI.
SEMI reports that the three-month average of worldwide billings of North American equipment manufacturers in October 2017 was $2.02 billion. The billings figure is 1.8 percent lower than the final September 2017 level of $2.05 billion, and is 23.7 percent higher than the October 2016 billings level of $1.63 billion.
“Equipment billings dipped in October, the fourth consecutive monthly decline during this record spending year," said Ajit Manocha, president and CEO of SEMI. “In spite of this seasonal weakness, we expect equipment spending to increase by 30 percent or more this year and are positive about growth in 2018."
October 02, 2017
Monthly Chip Sales Hit $35 Billion for First Time
Monthly semiconductor sales hit $35 billion for the first time in August, increasing on a sequential basis for the 13th consecutive month, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA). The three-month moving average of chip sales increased by 4 percent sequentially and 24 percent year-to-year in August, as the semiconductor sales rally that began in the second half of 2016 continues to steam along, according to the SIA. The industry association reports sales figures compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics organization, a group of 55 semiconductor firms that provide sales data on a monthly basis. "Sales in August increased across the board, with every major regional market and semiconductor product category posting gains on a month-to-month and year-to-year basis," said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO, in a press statement. "Memory products continue be a major driver of overall market growth, but sales were up even without memory in August."
Led by strong sales of memory chips, the semiconductor industry is enjoying its strongest growth year since at least 2010. The latest forecast from the WSTS calls for chip sales to be up 11.5 percent this year compared with last year. Other market watchers, such as market research firm IC Insights, are even more bullish.