Speakers at this year's gathering detailed the semiconductor industry's ongoing transition from a PC-based market to one that is driven by a communications and networking infrastructure. They also explored the growing need for Internet capabilities (that is, instant access to information anytime, anywhere) as an issue that is not only transforming end markets, but also pressing capital equipment and materials firms to improve efficiency in their customers' fabs.
Logging another quarter of strong growth, Novellus Systems, San Jose, CA, said its fourth quarter revenues climbed 81% over year-ago levels to a record $191.7 million. Net income in the quarter totaled $33 million (27 cents/share), up 305% from the end of 1998.