The top six MEMS manufacturers in Yole’s ranking remained the same from 2005 to 2006. Texas Instruments led the report with 13% annual growth, and Yole predicts that the company’s micro-mirror business will become more important as it continues to grow. Hewlett Packard (HP) and Robert Bosch were also in the top three, led by ink-jet head and sensors business, respectively. Several new companies entered the top-30 group. Form Factor uses MEMS technologies to manufacture springs used in its probe cards for wafer-level testing. Kionix also joined the top group by manufacturing accelerometers and gyros for automotive and other applications. Both companies were in the top five for growth. Three companies in the top 30 experienced revenue declines from 2005 to 2006.
(April 19, 2007) STAMFORD, CT — Gartner published a Dataquest Insight report predicting a 3% decline in sales revenues for semiconductor capital equipment in 2007. The research firm indicates that growth will begin in 2008, slow in 2009, and pick up again in 2010. Consumer spending, investments, and inventory control will dictate the semiconductor markets.