"severe shortage of flash memory chips, which are chiefly used in mobile phones, with supply meeting only 60 to 70 percent of demand."
[Found this on Yahoo. I can believe it...the new phones and handhelds use a lot of high density memory.]
Korean chipmakers register unprecedented sales records
07/14/2000
The Korea Herald
Copyright (C) 2000; Source: World Reporter (TM) - Asia Intelligence Wire
Domestic semiconductor manufacturers are enjoying an unprecedented sales boom, with Samsung Electronics surpassing 6 trillion won ($5.38 billion) in chip sales between January-June for the first time.
A Samsung official said his company sold 3.7 trillion won worth of memory chips, 900 billion won in non-memory chips and 1.7 trillion won from TFT-LCDs during the first half of the year.
Samsung Electronics is expected to mark 14 trillion won in chip sales alone this year, which will account for 44 percent of the company's total estimated sales of 32 trillion won, he added. Hyundai Electronics said it sold 3.6 trillion won worth of semiconductors during the first six months.
The figure accounted for 80 percent of the company's total sales of 4.5 trillion won during the period, said a Hyundai official.
The remarkable sales records are due in large part to rapid development of computer, information and telecommunication industries worldwide.
Chipmakers have gleefully watched international prices for their leading product 64-Mega DRAMs rise from $5.95 per unit in March to $8.88 at present. The price is expected to go beyond the $10 mark in the second half.
As if that weren't enough, the world is suffering from a severe shortage of flash memory chips, which are chiefly used in mobile phones, with supply meeting only 60 to 70 percent of demand.
Accordingly, Samsung is expected to see 7.5 trillion won in net profits this year, Hyundai 1 trillion won, and Amkor Technology Korea 20 billion won. |
