STAMFORD, CT – Asia-Pacific semiconductor revenue will outperform global revenue growth of 4.6% in 2008, reaching nearly $160 billion, up 6.4% year-over-year, said Gartner Inc.
Gartner forecasts Asia-Pacific semiconductor revenue will reach more than $203 billion by 2012.
“Worldwide semiconductor revenue is set for single-digit growth over the next five years; however, selected devices in specific electronic equipment types will post much higher growth,” John Barber, research director at Gartner, said in a statement.
China’s electronics sector will continue to lead growth in the region and the global semiconductor arena, said the research firm. However, China’s electronics manufacturing industry slowed in 2006 and is forecasted to record slower growth until 2012.
TEMPE, AZ – Economic activity in the US manufacturing sector failed to grow in August, according to a poll of top supply executives.
The overall economy grew for the 82nd consecutive month, says the Institute for Supply Management. The new orders index was 48.3%, up 3.3 points over July.
The PMI index was 49.9%, down 10 basis points from July. A reading above 50% indicates that the manufacturing economy is generally expanding; a PMI over 41.1%, over a period of time, generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy.
In a statement, ISM spokesman Norbert J. Ore, said, "The PMI indicates a slight decline in manufacturing during August. This continues the 2008 trend toward negligible growth or contraction each month, but ultimately results in very little overall change in the sector. This month's report is showing the first signs of lower prices as the Prices Index fell significantly, though still at an inflationary level. Export orders picked up additional momentum, and that is important to manufacturers as domestic demand remains soft for most industries."
Industries reporting growth in August included Computer & Electronic Products.
The average PMI this year (49.5%) corresponds to a 2.6% increase in real gross domestic product.
GUANGDONG, CHINA-- According to a report by Dominique Numakura the Guangdong local government has increased the minimum monthly wage by approximately 20% per year beginning in July. The Guangdong government plans to double worker’s income in the five years.
The Shanghai government increased the minimum wage 14% in April. This comes on the heels of a previous 14% increase in late 2007 effectively pushing the wages in the Shanghai area up by 27% in less than one year. At the current rate of increase, salaries will double every three or four years.
LOS ALTOS, CA – Semiconductors have fallen, revenues slowed and factory investment has headed south. In fact, outlays for chip facilities are forecast to be off 20.3% this year after a modest 5.7% advance in 2007, says Henderson Ventures.
Rollercoaster investment spending has created a corresponding pattern for IC manufacturing capacity utilization. Because factory utilization has crept from 86.4% in the fourth quarter 2006 to 89.3% during the second quarter 2008, chip prices were up 5.5% during the second quarter, according to the firm. Consequently, global semiconductor revenues were up 8% during the same quarter, even though unit deliveries grew little because of inventory divestment.
Looking ahead, PC and mobile phone manufacturers are upbeat about second-half prospects. Their enthusiasm is evident in the 12% jump in semiconductor bookings during the second quarter. As a result, Henderson has forecast a relatively optimistic 8.9% increase for shipments this year, after a meager 3.2% gain in 2007.
But the spreading global economic slump will undercut 2009 consumer spending for PCs and cellphones, the firm adds. Unit semiconductor growth will suffer, but the plunge in 2008 investment spending will keep chip prices from cratering. Consequently, 2009 revenues are predicted to increase 7.2%. An economic revival is forecast to spur a 14.5% jump in chip sales in 2010.
SAN JOSE – Worldwide sales of semiconductors grew 7.6% year-on-year in July.
Sales were up 2.8% sequentially, to $22.2 billion. Year-to-date sales are up 5%, rebuffing fears of a market recession.
SIA President George Scalise cited demand for consumer electronics, PCs and cellphones – which account for about 80% of chip demand. LCD TV units are projected to increase 32% this year, and digital set-top boxes and digital still cameras 20%, PC unit growth 13%, and cellphones over 10%, he noted.
"We are enjoying the benefits of the strong 3.3% second quarter GDP growth in the US, and continued strength in world markets."
Overall capacity utilization was 89% – with leading edge above 95%.
SIA reported that sales of DRAMs and NAND flash memory continued to decline as a result of continuing price erosion. “Total semiconductor sales excluding memory products increased by 11.6% year-on-year and by 3.2% sequentially,” said Scalise. “The memory content of typical PCs and cell phones continues to increase. According to Micron Technology, the DRAM bit content of the average PC in 2008 will increase 56%, while the NAND flash content for the average cellphone will grow by 178%," Scalise concluded.
SCHAUMBURG, IL – Marc Chason, founding partner of Quantum Solar Group, will speak at the iNEMI Sustainability Summit.
Chason will address technologies for providing lighting and energy generation that reduce energy requirements in the entire lifecycle of electronics.
The summit will be held Sept. 22-23 in Schaumburg, IL.
The Quantum Solar Group finds market niches and provides technology market data and roadmaps in the solar photovoltaic space suitable for PWB fabricators, EMS and SMT organizations and their suppliers.
