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NEWS & VIEWS |
Taipei,
Saturday, November 22, 2008
07:11 (GMT+8)
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Subject: Bits + chips > IC manufacturing |
Kenmec introduces photo engraving process equipment for large-size panels Nov 21, 17:20 Although many panel makers are slowing down their expansion plans during the economic downturn, panel equipment supplier Kenmec Mechanical Engineering is growing stably and is expanding its business from automation equipment to wet processing by introducing photo engraving process equipment for large-size panels. Read more |
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Probe card maker MPI estimates 4Q08 shipments to fall 10% Nov 21, 16:44 Probe card specialist MJC Probe (MPI) esimates a monthly shipment drop of 10% during the fourth quarter of 2008, citing weaker-than-expected demand in handset applications. The probe card industry is expected to rebound between the end of the second quarter and the beginning of the third quarter of 2009, according to the company. Read more |
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Chartered CEO: No merger talks for now Nov 21, 10:07 Song-Hwee Chia, CEO of Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing, has denied that his current visit to Taiwan is aimed at any merger talks, but he has not ruled out the possibility of any developments in the future. Read more |
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Socle's alliance with ARM to shake up SoC industry Nov 21, 01:00 ARM and Socle Technology, a subsidiary of Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing, have released details of their cooperation plans which will see Socle gain licenses from ARM's IP portfolio covering ARM11 and 3D graphics chips. Read more |
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Taiwan IC production value down 6.5% in 2008, research suggests Nov 20, 15:58 The Taiwan semiconductor industry will see its IC design, packaging and testing sectors all slide in production value in 2008, with the packaging and testing segments experiencing double-digit declines, according to the Industrial Economics and Knowledge Center (IEK) of the Taiwan government-sponsored Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI). The production value of Taiwan's IC industry is estimated to fall 6.5% to NT$688.7 billion (US$20.6 billion) in 2008, said IEK. Read more |
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SIA forecasts 5.5% decline for global semiconductor sales in 2009 Nov 20, 12:28 The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) released its annual forecast of global semiconductor sales, projecting the first decline in sales since 2001. The forecast projects 2008 sales of US$261.2 billion, a 2.2% increase from 2007 sales of US$255.6 billion. Sales in the current quarter, historically a strong quarter for the microelectronics industry, are forecasted to decline by 5.9% from the prior quarter. SIA projects that 2009 sales will decline by 5.6% to US$246.7 billion before resuming growth in 2010. Sales will grow by 7.4% in 2010 to US$264.9 billion and by 7.5% in 2011 to US$284.7 billion. Read more |
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InvenSense seeks partnerships with Taiwan foundry service providers Nov 20, 12:17 InvenSense, a provider of motion sensing solutions for mobile applications, is looking for partnerships with Taiwan-based foundry service providers, according to company CEO Steve Nasiri. Read more |
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China leads in IC consumption, despite fragile supply from local players Nov 20, 11:58 The production value of China's semiconductor industry grew 23% to account for more than one-third of total chip production worldwide for the first time in 2007, as the nation's huge export growth has been the key to driving semiconductor consumption in the Chinese market, according to a recent report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). Read more |
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Chip market enters into its 11th industry recession, says Future Horizons Nov 20, 11:56 Despite the fact the first half of 2008 was stronger than many predicted, the relentless deterioration in the global financial markets has finally tipped the global economy into recession. Not surprisingly, it has taken the chip market with it says Malcolm Penn, CEO and chairman of industry analyst house Future Horizons. Read more |
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VLSI Research expects IC market to decline in 2008 and 2009 Nov 20, 11:24 In light of the recent economic deterioration, VLSI Research has revised its 2008 and 2009 forecasts for both integrated circuits (ICs) and semiconductor equipment. IC sales are now expected to decline by 1.7% in 2008 to US$214.1 billion, and 2009 will be even worse with a 6.9% drop. VLSI Research cites a slowing electronics demand and an inventory correction that needs to take place to get supply back in balance with demand as the primary reasons for the revision. Read more |
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SEMI: North American semiconductor equipment book-to-bill ratio rises to 0.93 in October; matches highest monthly total in 2008 Nov 20, 01:10 North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted US$843 million in orders in October 2008 (three-month average basis) and a book-to-bill ratio of 0.93 according to the October 2008 Book-to-Bill Report published today by SEMI. A book-to-bill of 0.93 means that US$93 worth of orders were received for every US$100 of product billed for the month. Read more |
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Global semiconductor market to contract in 2008, iSuppli predicts Nov 19, 16:42 Amid rapidly deteriorating conditions in the global economy and electronics value chain, iSuppli now is predicting worldwide semiconductor revenues will decline in 2008 compared to 2007. Read more |
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TICP sees memory card packaging orders pick up Nov 19, 15:27 Taiwan IC Packaging (TICP) has remarked that its overall performance in the fourth quarter of 2008 will be hit by the ongoing economic downturn. But orders for memory card packaging orders have been increasing steadily since the third quarter amid slumping NAND flash prices, according to the company. Read more |
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UMC to produce Actel 65nm eFlash FPGAs Nov 19, 12:27 Low-power field programmable gate array (FPGA) specialist Actel and United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) have announced that the two companies are cooperating in the production of Actel's next generation flash-based FPGAs. The chips will be manufactured on UMC's 65nm low leakage process, and will take advantage of the foundry's 65nm embedded flash (eFlash) technology. Successful first-silicon demonstration of Actel's 65nm eFlash-based FPGA has already been achieved at UMC's 300mm fabs. Read more |
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Mirle sees October profit down 45% on year Nov 19, 12:00 Taiwan-based equipment supplier Mirle Automation has reported profits of NT$41 million (US$1.2 million) for October, down 45% on year. The company had accumulated revenues NT$3.8 billion for January-October, slightly up 2% on year, according to data from the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE). Read more |
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MEMS market slows, less attractive to venture capital Nov 19, 11:04 The global market for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) will see single-digit growth for the first time in 2008 and low growth is also anticipated for 2009, as plummeting consumer confidence has weakened the market for MEMS-enabled consumer applications, analysts pointed out. Read more |
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Socle to license ARM11 multiprocessor Nov 19, 10:28 Socle Technology, a Taiwan-based IC design service company in which Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing has a major stake, will announce Socle's further license agreement with ARM on November 20, according to the company. Read more |
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WSTS forecasts semiconductor market growth for 2008, contraction in 2009 Nov 19, 01:15 The global semiconductor market is expected to grow 2.5% on an annualized basis to US$261.9 billion in 2008, according to the autumn 2008 forecast of the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS). Read more |
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TSMC reportedly invests in Accton subsidiary, eyeing SiP-module market Nov 18, 15:27 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has reportedly invested in Taiwan-based Aiconn, a subsidiary of network-equipment maker Accton Technology, via the foundry's venture capital affiliate VentureTech Alliance. Industry sources have speculated that TSMC is looking to enter the wireless SiP (system in package) module market due to growing demand for portable consumer and wireless connectivity devices. Read more |
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TSMC urges equipment and material suppliers to push for 18-inch wafer migration Nov 18, 11:53 The transition to 18-inch wafer production may be interrupted by the current economic woes, but it is a necessary step the semiconductor industry has to take in order to increase production scale and efficiency significantly for better competitiveness, according to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). As for its own 18-inch wafer production plan, TSMC has stated it is seeking more cooperation with equipment and material suppliers on development of 18-inch wafer fabs. Read more |
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China semiconductor industry sees weak growth in 3Q08 Nov 18, 10:44 A recent survey by the China Semiconductor Industry Association (CSIA) pointed out that China's semiconductor industry only saw 1.1% growth in the third quarter of 2008, the slowest rate on record. According to CSIA, China's IC industry maintained double-digit growth at 12.5% in the first quarter of 2008. However, the growth slowed down to 8.3% in the second quarter and further down in the third quarter, CSIA noted. Read more |
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TSMC ramps volume production of 40nm process Nov 18, 01:15 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has announced volume production of the foundry segment's only 40nm semiconductor manufacturing process with the successful ramp of its 40nm General Purpose (G) and Low Power (LP) versions. A comprehensive design infrastructure including library, IP, design flow, engineering service, and monthly CyberShuttle prototyping vehicles is also ready for these two processes. Read more |
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IC packaging and testing houses Sigurd and KYEC expects 10% drop in sales in 4Q Nov 18, 01:05 With the global semiconductor market falling on difficult times, IC packaging and testing houses Sigurd Microelectronics and King Yuan Electronics Company (KYEC) expect to see a 10% decline in revenues in the fourth quarter this year, according to market sources. Read more |
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TSMC has no layoff plans despite difficult times Nov 17, 15:05 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has no layoff plans despite the global economic woes, according to company CEO Rick Tsai. He made the remarks on the sideline of the company's 2008 Supply Chain Management (SCM) Forum on November 14. Read more |
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US house pricing key to economic recovery, says TSMC chairman Nov 17, 11:42 Morris Chang, chairman of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), remarked at a conference held by the Chinese National Association of Industry and Commerce (CNAIC) on November 14 that bringing an end to the housing crash in the US should be considered the key to an economic U-turn. Chang expects the incoming Obama administration to intervene in the national free market much more aggressively than the current Bush government, in order to restore the confidence of both consumers and investors. Read more |
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Silicon wafer shipments contract by almost 3% in 3Q08, says SEMI Nov 14, 15:59 Worldwide silicon wafer area shipments contracted almost 3% during the third quarter of 2008 compared to the second quarter, according to the SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG) in its quarterly analysis of the silicon wafer industry. Read more |
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Applied Materials expects overall equipment spending to drop in 2009, but upbeat about PV market Nov 14, 10:23 Applied Materials has posted results for its fiscal year 2008 and fourth quarter ended October 2008, with announcements of workforce cut and cost-reduction strategies for the next fiscal year. Company CEO Mike Splinter estimates that equipment spending will drop in the semiconductor and display sectors, but he remains optimistic about the solar-energy market. Read more |
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Opportunity is always present in the midst of crisis: Q&A with Freescale CEO Rich Beyer Nov 13, 16:58 Rich Beyer, CEO of Freescale Semiconductor, was attending a technology seminar held in Beijing early this month, providing his insights into the current economic conditions and particularly the prospects of the technology industry. Digitimes took the opportunity to interview Beyer on Freescale's future investment strategy and its deployments in other segments with growth potentials. Read more |
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UMC to advance annual maintenance due to utilization drop Nov 13, 15:08 United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) has decided to start its annual maintenance ahead of schedule in 2008, as the company's utilization will drop to as low as 55%, according to industry sources. Read more |
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Chartered CEO said to be coming to Taiwan for merger talks Nov 13, 11:38 Song-Hwee Chia, CEO of Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing, is scheduled to pay a low-profile visit to Taiwan next week, with speculation abounding that he will be in talks for a merger deal with the local foundries, according to market sources. Read more |
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Semco becomes top-two FC-CSP substrate supplier Nov 13, 01:00 Korea-based flip-chip chip-scale packaging (FC-CSP) substrate maker Semco has gained market share from Japan-based Ibiden to become one of the top-two players in the market, according to industry sources. Read more |
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Taiwan semiconductor industry to decline 3.9% in 2008, says IMF Nov 12, 16:22 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has forecast the global semiconductor industry will see a 1.3% on-year growth in sales, but Taiwan will see a 3.9% decline in 2008. Industrial Technology Intelligence Services (ITIS) said the decline of Taiwan is due to crashing DRAM prices. Read more |
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ChipMOS gross margins fall to zero in 3Q, will be negative in 4Q Nov 12, 12:26 ChipMOS Technologies has reported third quarter revenues of NT$4.36 billion (US$135.3 million), a decrease of 9.5% from NT$4.82 billion (US$149.5 million) in the second quarter of 2008 and a decrease of 26.6% from NT$5.94 billion (US$184.3 million) for the same period in 2007. The gross margin fate for the third quarter of 2008 was 0.3%, compared to 7.2% for the second quarter of 2008 and 24.2% for the same period in 2007. Read more |
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Datang to invest US$172 million in SMIC Nov 12, 01:10 Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) and Datang Telecom Technology & Industry Holdings have announced that the two companies have reached a definitive agreement under which Datang will invest US$172 million in common equity in SMIC for a 16.6% interest in the company proforma for newly issued shares. Read more |
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SpringSoft signs EDA deal with Silicon Valley Technical Institute Nov 11, 11:44 Taiwan-based software provider SpringSoft has announced that the Silicon Valley Technical Institute (SVTI) has chosen SpringSoft's Laker custom layout system for use in its technical training programs. The Laker layout system will help SVTI prepare future generations of chip designers to meet the complex challenges of implementing sophisticated semiconductor products. Read more |
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MEMS supply growing faster than demand, driving down prices Nov 11, 01:10 MEMS prices in 2009 are expected to continue to fall because supply exceeds demand, according to market sources. Read more |
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TSMC reports better-than-expected October sales, but large drop expected through rest of year Nov 11, 01:05 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) reported October consolidated sales at NT$29.5 billion (US$898.53 million), up 0.6% sequentially. However, the company expects fourth-quarter sales to see 23-25% decline due to an economic downturn. TSMC's subsidiaries Global Unichip and Vanguard International Semiconductor (VIS) have also turned to a conservative fourth-quarter outlook. Read more |
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Soitec holds inauguration ceremony for SOI wafer fab in Singapore Nov 10, 16:57 France-based Soitec, the world's leading supplier of silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers, recently held an inauguration ceremony for its new wafer fab in Singapore. Located in the new Pasir Ris Wafer Fab Park, the fully automated facility is dedicated to the manufacturing of 300mm SOI wafers. Read more |
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VIS sees revenues decline in October Nov 10, 16:20 Vanguard International Semiconductor (VIS) has reported revenues of NT$1.24 billion (US$37.8 million) for October, a decline of 7.6% from the previous month and 15.4% from a year earlier. However, revenues for the first 10 months of this year were up 12.6% on year, to NT$14.68 billion. Read more |
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Thailin Semiconductor to expand logic IC testing business Nov 10, 13:58 IC testing company Thailin Semiconductor has said that it will continue to expand its logic IC testing business with prospects adding one or two new clients in the first quarter of 2009, according to company general manager Cho Lien-fa. Read more |
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UMC October sales down 22% on year Nov 7, 17:13 United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) has reported October sales of NT$7.9 billion, down about 22% from the same period last year. Read more |
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SMIC signs agreement with the strategic investor Nov 7, 01:00 Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) has signed an agreement with a strategic investor to issue company shares. Company CEO Richard Chang indicated the deal will bring in more funds to the company and help future technological development. Read more |
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Taiwan handset makers turning to Qualcomm 3G platform instead of EMP Nov 6, 17:09 Qualcomm's market share in the in 3G chip market is expected to increase, as Taiwan handset makers including Asustek Computer, Compal Communications and Arima Communications are adopting, or planning to adopting, the Qualcomm platform, with the shift being at the expense of the Ericsson Mobile Platform (EMP), according to industry players. Read more |
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Taiwan wafer makers SAS and Wafer Works hit record revenues in October Nov 6, 16:03 Sino-American Silicon Products (SAS) and Wafer Works, two Taiwan-based producers of semiconductor-grade and solar-grade crystalline silicon wafers, have both reported record high revenues for October. Read more |
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UTAC revises fourth-quarter guidance to a sequential 10% decline Nov 6, 14:49 United Test and Assembly Center (UTAC) has revised its guidance for the fourth quarter of this year to a possible sequential 10% decline instead of its previous forecast for continued growth, according to company chairman and CEO JC Lee. Read more |
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IC packaging vendor Greatek to limit capex in 4Q08 on slack orders Nov 6, 13:55 Consumer IC packaging company Greatek Electronics (GTK) is to limit its capex to below NT$100 million (US$3.05 million) in the fourth quarter of this year due to poor order visibility, according to company sources. Read more |
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TSMC adds new high voltage features to advanced 0.13-micron process Nov 6, 12:03 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has enhanced its 0.13-micron process technology with immediate availability of a 1.5/6/32V technology, targeting at high resolution mobile handset display drivers. Read more |
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TSMC to install multiple-beam lithography system in 2009 Nov 5, 16:12 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is expected to install its first multiple-electron-beam direct write (MEBDW) lithography system for the development of 20nm and more advanced process nodes at the earliest in 2009, according to Burn Lin, senior director of micropatterning division at TSMC. Read more |
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TSMC to ramp up 32nm production in 2009 Nov 5, 01:15 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) will ramp up 32nm production in 2009, with 22nm and 15nm production following in 2011 and 2013 respectively, according to the company's latest roadmap. Read more |
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Driver IC packaging and testing houses to see utilization drop to 55-66% in 4Q08 Nov 5, 01:00 Driver IC packaging and testing houses Chipbond Technology, International Semiconductor Technology (IST), and ChipMOS Technologies will see their utilization rates drop to 55-60% in the fourth quarter from 60-70% in the third, as the LCD panel industry remains in the doldrums, according to industry sources. Read more |
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