Semiconductor Sales Poised to Top $300 Billion, Break Records in 2011

The semiconductor industry heard some welcome news last week.

Despite a challenging global economy and natural disasters that impacted production in Asia, the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) said it expects continued growth in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

More specifically, the SAI endorsed the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization's Autumn 2011 global semiconductor sales forecast which has projected semiconductor sales to grow to $302 Billion for 2011. If that forecast holds, it will be the first time semiconductor sales have reached the $300 Billion mark and will represent a 1.3 percent growth rate over the record-breaking year in 2010.

WSTS tabulates its annual forecast by convening an extensive group of global semiconductor companies that provide accurate and timely indicators of semiconductor trends.

Beyond 2011, the WSTS expects steady, modest growth: a 3.7 percent increase for 2012, and 5.8 percent increase for 2013.

Even though worldwide sales for October 2011 remained essentially flat at $25.7 billion (a mere 0.1 percent decrease from prior month's sales of $25.8 billion), Japan continued its recovery with month-over-month growth at 2.2 percent marking the fourth consecutive month of growth. Additionally, year to date semiconductor shipments to the Americas region grew 4.6 percent, followed by shipments to Asia Pacific at 3.4 percent and Europe at 1.2 percent year-over-year.

"The combination of record-breaking sales in 2010 coupled with this year's forecast topping the $300 Billion mark for the first time is welcome news for both the semiconductor industry and the entire economy," said Brian Toohey, president, Semiconductor Industry Association. "Despite a challenging global economic environment this year and the natural disasters that have impacted production in Asia, the semiconductor industry has demonstrated impressive resilience. The growing level of semiconductor content embedded across a wide range of consumer, industrial, business and government applications points to continued growth in 2012 and 2013."