
Hynix Semiconductor has been reported to be cutting capital spending
plans for 2008 by approximately $1 billion due to poor pricing of NAND
and DRAM memory devices as overcapacity remains in the market.
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Fab automation and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) provider
CIMAC has established a software development center in Sofia, Bulgaria
that is intended to extend its capabilities for customer projects and
internal applications.
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Market research firm In-Stat believes that demand for semiconductors
will soften in 2008 compared to the strong demand seen in 2007. Growth
is being pegged at only 2.4 percent for the year, while worldwide
semiconductor revenue is expected to grow to $261.9 billion in 2008.
Semiconductor revenue growth is forecast to be 7.4 percent in 2009,
followed by 9.7 percent and 11.6 percent in 2010 and 2011,
respectively.
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SMIC has said that it is in advanced negotiations with an
unidentified strategic investor that could purchase a major share in
the China-based foundry. Negotiations are currently ongoing. SMIC also
said that certain members of the management of the Company may be
interested in purchasing shares of the Company in the open market if
appropriate conditions exist.
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The 2007 Worldwide Semiconductor Equipment Market Statistics (SEMS)
Report from SEMI clearly highlights the rapid ascendance of Taiwan as
the leading capital equipment purchasing region. Semiconductor
equipment sales to Taiwan grew 46 percent to reach $10.65 billion over
2006, the first time Taiwan spent more on semiconductor equipment than
any other region.
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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.
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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.
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0nm 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.
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With memory manufacturers, especially NAND flash producers capital
spending plans front-half year loaded and continued tightening of
spending at the major foundries in 2008, the latest SEMI February 2008
Book-to-Bill ratio of 0.93 for February could be the best figures
presented this year!
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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.
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