Online information source for semiconductor professionals

The takeover of Jazz Semiconductor by Tower Semiconductor has received approval from Jazz’s stockholders for the adoption of the Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization. Tower will now acquire all of the outstanding Jazz shares in a stock-for-stock agreement. Read more >>

As expected the recent production cuts announced by Elpida and Powerchip Semiconductor (PSC), will only see global DRAM output reduced by no more than 2.5 percent, having little impact on the current oversupply conditions. Read more >>

Market share figures from iSuppli Corp, show that Spansion has seen NOR flash growth of 7.5 percent in the second quarter of 2008, reaching nearly 40 percent overall market share. Spansion is now the third largest supplier in the overall Flash memory market rankings. Spansion said that it had now surpassed its nearest rival Numonyx. Read more >>

Samsung Electronics has gone hostile over its initial talks with SanDisk to acquire the company were rejected. In a new move for Samsung, under the new leadership of Lee Yoon Woo, when he became Chief Executive Officer of the memory giant in May, 2008, the company has made a hostile bid for SanDisk valuing the flash memory specialist at $5.85 billion. Read more >>

A compilation of sales figures from 150 global semiconductor equipment companies produced by SEMI and the Semiconductor Equipment Association of Japan (SEAJ), highlight once again the dire state of capital spending from chip manufacturers in 2008.Second quarter billings were $7.83 billion, 26 percent less than the first quarter of 2008 and 29 percent less than the same quarter a year ago. Read more >>

The Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) sensors for the automotive market is set for rapid growth over the next four-years, according to a new report from iSuppli Corp.The market research firm forecasts worldwide automotive MEMS sensor shipments will grow to 935.7 million units in 2012, rising at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12 percent from 474.2 million units in 2006. The automotive MEMS sensor market is therefore set to outgrow the automotive and car electronics segments altogether, iSuppli said. Read more >>

Bosch Rexroth and Middlesex Industries are to collaborate on cleanroom conveyor system projects for the semiconductor and photovoltaics industry as well as other related cleanroom industries, the companies have said. They will also work together on the development of conveyor systems, specifically targeting 300mm Prime and 450mm wafer fab applications. Read more >>

According to multiple news agency reports, Samsung Electronics is in talks to potentially acquire NAND flash specialist SanDisk. A Samsung spokesperson confirmed that initial discussions with SanDisk executives had started, while SanDisk issued a statement confirming only that it periodically has discussions with companies regarding ‘business opportunities.’ Read more >>

Strong demand for semiconductors, especially from the consumer markets is allowing IC manufacturers to retain high fab utilization rates, according to the latest figures from the SIA. Overall capacity utilization is at 89 percent in July, 2008 with leading edge utilization rates above 95 percent. The SIA also reported that for the first time, 300mm wafer production accounts for the largest share of wafer manufacturing capacity and actual wafers processed, with 44 percent of total capacity and 47 percent of total silicon processed. Read more >>

North American semiconductor equipment suppliers posted $905 million in orders in July 2008 (three-month average basis) and a book-to-bill ratio of 0.83 according to SEMI. The preliminary June book-to-bill ratio of 0.85 was revised downward considerably to 0.81, indicating a small climb over a potential drop in the ratio. Read more >>