There were no changes in the positions of the top five biggest semiconductor companies by revenue, according to iSuppli Corp’s release of its 2007 Top 25 semiconductor suppliers list by revenue. Intel, Samsung, Texas Instruments, Toshiba and STMicroelectronics retained the 1 to 5 slots respectively. However, two of the top five companies (Samsung and TI) posted revenue declines in 2007 compared to 2006. iSuppli does not include foundries in its semiconductor suppliers rankings table. 

90nm production of Spansion’s NOR flash devices using foundries such as TSMC is set to be reduced dramatically in the coming months as manufacturing efficiencies resulting in increased output at its Austin, Texas Fab25 (200mm) and SP1 (300mm) fab in Aizu-Wakamatsu, Japan are realized, the company said. 

CSMC Silicon Foundries has acknowledged a mask manufacturer for the first time as its best supplier in 2007. Under its ‘Top 10 Best Supplier Award’ system, Toppan Photomasks was the recipient of the award. 

Intel Corporation’s most prestigious award for suppliers - the Supplier Continuous Quality Improvement (SCQI) award - has been given to 13 suppliers in its 2007 honors list. Six companies that featured in the 2006 SCQI awards also appeared in the 2007 listing. These included: Asymtek; Daewon Semiconductor Packaging Industrial Company; DISCO Corporation; Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation; Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc; Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc and Kelly Services, Inc. 

With the introduction of new advanced materials and processes for its 45nm technology node migration in 2007, Intel Corporation has acknowledged some of its suppliers that were critical to its ability to migrate to the new node within its Preferred Quality Supplier (PQS) awards for 2007. A total of 35 suppliers were honored. 

Stockholders of both ON Semiconductor and AMIS Holdings have voted on the proposed acquisition of the latter by ON Semiconductor. With more than 90% of the votes leaning in favour of the stock-for-stock merger, the companies expect the matter to be closed by March 17th subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions. 

Chartered Semiconductor has honored its best suppliers for 2007 at a ceremony held in Singapore. In the equipment category, the Gold Supplier Award went to Dainippon Screen Singapore with Applied Materials Asia the follow-up Silver Supplier Award winner. 

Aquest Systems is planning to open a dedicated 20,000 square foot demonstration center in Taichung, Taiwan to enable the start-up fab automation specialist to showcase its next-generation hi-volume AMHS solutions for 300mm fabs.