(September 22, 2005) San Jose, Calif. &#8212 On a 3-month average in August 2005, North American-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $1.12 billion in orders and a book-to-bill ratio of 1.05, according to SEMI’s August 2005 Book-to-Bill Report.

In August 2005, the 3-month average of worldwide bookings was $1.12 billion &#8212 about 11% above the revised July 2005 level of $1.01 billion, and 26% below the $1.51 billion in orders posted in August 2004. The 3-month average of worldwide billings in August 2005 was $1.07 billion &#8212 about 1% below the revised July 2005 level of $1.08 billion, and 29% below the August 2004 billings level of $1.50 billion.

“The book-to-bill ratio is above parity for the first time in a year driven in large part by orders for test and assembly equipment,” says Stanley T. Myers, president and CEO of SEMI. “While the wafer processing equipment segment has yet to see the same growth levels as the final manufacturing segment, our industry views the overall trend as a positive indicator.”