Worldwide semiconductor-equipment market dives 55.6%

DECEMBER 3--Worldwide semiconductor-manufacturing-equipment shipments totaled $5.63 billion for 3Q01, according to Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI; www.semi.org). That figure is 55.6% below the $12.98 billion posted for the same quarter a year ago. Sequentially, the shipments are down 20.2% from 2Q01's $7.07 billion.

"The ongoing malaise in the semiconductor-equipment sector resulting from poor economic conditions, excess capacity levels, and weak end-unit demand has been apparent for some time," said Elizabeth Schumann, SEMI director of industry research and statistics. "Consequently, the significant decline in capital-equipment shipments and third-quarter results for the worldwide industry have been anticipated," she added.

Geographically, Taiwan saw the biggest drop year-over-year, as that region fell 71.6% to $720 million from the $2.53 billion posted in 3Q00. Korea fell 67.3% on a yearly basis, hitting $300 million from the $930 million posted during the same period last year.

The European region slid $58.2% to $700 million from the $1.67 billion logged in 3Q00. Totaling $790 million for 3Q01, the rest of the world region decreased 54.7% compared to last year's $1.73 billion.

Faring slighting better, North America declined 52.7% to $1.66 billion from the $3.51 billion posted year-over-year. Japan fell 43.8% to $1.47 billion from the $2.61 billion posted in 3Q00.

SEMI also reported worldwide equipment orders of $3.92 billion for 3Q01, a 75% drop from the same period last year and a decline of 12% from 2Q01.