JULY 16--Despite tough economic conditions overall, the microelectromechanical-systems (MEMS) industry continues its upward trek, according to In-Stat/MDR (Scottsdale, AZ; www.instat.com). The high-tech market research firm reports that every major market has now embraced the technology; mature segments will see relatively low compound annual growth rates, and in other segments, such as the communications and consumer markets, MEMS has only just begun to scratch the surface. As a result, worldwide revenues for MEMS are forecast to grow from $3.9 billion in 2001 to $9.6 billion in 2006.
"It takes luck, timing, money, and perseverance to succeed in any business, and for those in the MEMS industry, it's no different," says Marlene Bourne, a senior analyst with In-Stat/MDR. "Depending on which sector within the MEMS industry you look at, the past year has been very good, or not so great." In-Stat/MDR reports that while venture-capital funding is certainly down, it is by no means out, and MEMS start-ups continue to emerge. However, considerable fab overcapacity currently exists, and it appears that the situation will only worsen over the next year.
In-Stat's report, "It's Raining MEMS: 2002 Industry Overview" (#IN020094EA), zeros in on several key issues facing the MEMS industry, including fab overcapacity, employment, venture-capital funding, and whether MEMS will start experiencing the same boom/bust cycle that the semiconductor industry does. It provides a look at MEMS device migration: what's being commercialized now, what's on the horizon, and who's developing what. Major market opportunities and where MEMS fit are also discussed. The forecast includes unit shipments and revenues by device category, as well as by market, through 2006. To purchase this report, or for more information, visit www.instat.com/catalog/cat-esa.htm or contact Matthew Woods at [email protected].
