North American-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted orders of more than $3 billion in October 2000, reports Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI), with a book-to-bill ratio of 1.17. Worldwide bookings and shipments in October topped September 2000 figures.

“Following what appears to have been a seasonal pause in growth through the summer months, orders for new semiconductor equipment reaccelerated in October,” says SEMI President and CEO Stanley Meyers. “While the total equipment ratio was even with last month, orders exceeded $3 billion and front order growth was the strongest we’ve seen in 6 months.”

The 3-month average of worldwide bookings in October 2000 was $3.04 billion. This figure is 5% higher than the September 2000 level, and is 89% above the $1.61 billion in orders posted in October 1999.

The 3-month average of worldwide shipments in October 2000 was $2.59 billion. This figure is 5% above the September 2000 level, and is 75% higher than the October 1999 shipments level of $1.48 billion.