May 18, 2006 – Worldwide semiconductor manufacturing equipment sales jumped 20% in 1Q06 from the prior quarter, due to robust growth in North America and South Korea, although Korea’s tool sales have slowed significantly from last year’s levels, according to new data from SEMI.

Global equipment billings topped $9.58 billion in 1Q06, vs. $8.10 billion in 4Q05, and were up 3% from the $9.33 billion in sales in 1Q05. Equipment bookings were $9.94 billion in 1Q06, also showing impressive strength: 30% year-on-year growth, and 10% higher than the previous quarter.

Most regions enjoyed double-digit year-on-year growth in equipment sales, paced by North America (15%), Taiwan (12%), Japan (10%), and China and Rest-of-World (17% and 11%, respectively), while Europe and Korea showed little or negative growth as capacity purchased in 2004 came online, noted Stanley Myers, SEMI president and CEO. Compared with the fourth quarter, North America and Korea led the way with ~35% equipment sales growth, followed by Japan (16%) and Taiwan (15%).

Semiconductor capital equipment sales, 1Q06 (US $M)
Region: 1Q06, 4Q05, 1Q05, 1Q/4Q, 1Q/1Q

Japan: 2331, 2008, 2114, 16%, 10%
N.America: 1795, 1339, 1561, 34%, 15%
Korea: 1774, 1310, 2283, 35%, -22%
Taiwan: 1589, 1384, 1423, 15%, 12%
Europe: 920, 856, 909, 7%, 1%
R.O.W.: 788, 737, 708, 7%, 11%
China: 380, 375, 326, 1%, 17%
TOTAL: 9577, 8008, 9325, 20%, 3%

*Figures may not add due to rounding
Source: SEMI/SEAJ