Printed Circuit Design & Fab Online Magazine - Market News

Market News

SAN JOSE -- Semiconductor fabrication equipment spending will decline about 9% to about $32.5 billion in 2013 as third-quarter demand fell more than expected. 2014 sales are expected to rebound in a big way, however.

SAN MATEO, CA – IDC yesterday lowered its forecast for worldwide tablet shipments but said sales would still rise more than 53% year-over-year. According to the latest forecast from the market research firm, table shipments are expected to reach 221.3 million units in 2013, down slightly from a previous forecast of 227.4 million but still 53.5% above 2012 levels.

DALLAS, TX – China is not only the largest PCB producer, it continues to be the fastest growing, according to a new report.

MILWAUKEE, WI – Salaries for quality professionals in 2013 increased 1.58% after a year of flat growth in 2012, according to a new survey of 6,500 workers.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – Total North American printed circuit board shipments increased 3.6% year-over-year in October.

The 90-day average PCB orders increased 7% year-over-year, bringing year-to-date growth into positive territory at 0.1%, says IPC.

FRAMINGHAM, MA – Worldwide smartphone shipments are expected to surpass 1 billion units in 2013, representing 39.3% growth over 2012, IDC said. Despite a number of mature markets nearing smartphone saturation, the demand for low-cost computing in emerging markets continues to drive the smartphone market forward, the research firm stated.