Semiconductor Capacity Utilization Rising

Semiconductor Capacity Utilization Rising
by Bill Jewell on 12-18-2014 at 5:00 pm

Semiconductor capacity utilization (the ratio of production to capacity) appears to be on the rise, based on available data. Reliable global industry capacity data has not been available since Semiconductor Industry Capacity Statistics (SICAS) disbanded in 2011.

TSMC and UMC (the two largest pure-play foundries according… Read More


Where have all the semiconductor drivers gone?

Where have all the semiconductor drivers gone?
by Bill Jewell on 11-24-2014 at 11:30 pm

Tablets and smartphones have been key drivers of electronics and semiconductor growth for the last few years. However the growth rates for these devices are slowing as they have become more prevalent. Tablet shipments are expected to reach 229 million units in 2014, according to Gartner, equal to 73% of PC units. IDC projects smartphones… Read More


IBM leaves semiconductors – end of an era

IBM leaves semiconductors – end of an era
by Bill Jewell on 10-29-2014 at 2:00 am

IBM last week agreed to transfer its semiconductor business to GlobalFoundries. GlobalFoundries will acquire wafer fabs in East Fishkill, New York and Essex Junction, Vermont; IBM’s commercial microelectronics business, which includes ASIC and foundry; over 10,000 IBM patents related to semiconductor manufacturing;… Read More


Making Wafers in Space?

Making Wafers in Space?
by Bill Jewell on 10-14-2014 at 7:00 am

The Albuquerque Journal had an article about a local company sending silicon carbide wafers into suborbital space to improve their quality. ACME Advanced Materials plans to buy low quality $250 wafers, send them into space using their process, and sell the higher quality wafers for about $750. They are working to add gallium nitride… Read More


Semiconductor double digit growth in 2014 & 2015

Semiconductor double digit growth in 2014 & 2015
by Bill Jewell on 09-30-2014 at 10:00 pm

The global semiconductor market was US$82.2 billion in the second quarter of 2014 according to World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS). 2Q 2014 was up 4.8% from 1Q 2014 up 10.1% from 2Q 2013. Healthy growth should continue into 3Q 2014. The table below shows initial revenue growth guidance for 2Q 2014, final reported revenue… Read More


Moderate growth and minor correction in semiconductors

Moderate growth and minor correction in semiconductors
by Bill Jewell on 07-22-2014 at 1:30 pm

At SEMICON West two weeks ago, Bob Johnson of Gartner presented the outlook for the semiconductor market, semiconductor capital spending, and wafer fab equipment spending. Thanks to Daniel Nenni for providing the link to the SEMI/Gartner Market Symposium presentations at https://sites.google.com/a/semi.org/market-symposium/home/speaker-presentationsRead More


Electronics growth positive around the world

Electronics growth positive around the world
by Bill Jewell on 06-26-2014 at 6:00 pm

Electronics production growth has turned positive in 2014 for all key geographic regions. The graph below shows three-month-average change versus a year ago for electronics production in local currency through April 2014. Total industrial production is used for Europe (EU countries) and South Korea since electronic production… Read More


Healthy Semiconductor Growth in 2014 and 2015

Healthy Semiconductor Growth in 2014 and 2015
by Bill Jewell on 05-11-2014 at 5:00 pm

The first quarter 2014 semiconductor market was $78.5 billion, down 1.8% from fourth quarter 2013 and up 11.4% from a year ago, according to World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS). The year-to-year growth was the highest since 4Q 2010. The year-to-year growth has been accelerating for the last four quarters. Our February… Read More


Strong 2014 for Semiconductor Equipment and CapEx

Strong 2014 for Semiconductor Equipment and CapEx
by Bill Jewell on 04-24-2014 at 9:00 pm

Spending on semiconductor manufacturing equipment is headed for healthy growth in 2014. The latest data from SEMI and the Semiconductor Equipment Association of Japan (SEAJ) shows March 2014 three-month-average billings for semiconductor manufacturing equipment were up 16% from February 2014 and up 31% from a year ago. Bookings… Read More


Applied Power Electronics Conference & Exposition 2014: "Less Power"

Applied Power Electronics Conference & Exposition 2014: "Less Power"
by Bill Jewell on 03-27-2014 at 11:00 pm

On the television show “Home Improvement”, Tim Allen’s character always sought “more power” for whatever project he was working on. The theme of the Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition (APEC) 2014 could have been “less power”. APEC 2014 featured five days of seminars and sessions including professional education,Read More