IC and tool makers must increase cooperation in fab automation, says IBM executive
By Mark LaPedus
Semiconductor Business News
siliconstrategies.com
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. -- The worldwide semiconductor industry is projected to show little or no growth in 2002, but there are still some positive signs in the market, according to an executive from IBM Microelectronics.
In a keynote address given at the Industry Strategy Symposium (ISS) here on Monday, Michel Mayer, general manager of IBM Microelectronics, also urged chip and fab-equipment makers to work closer in order to reduce cycle times and costs.
Mayer indicated that chip and equipment vendors must work closer to develop new and better fab-automation technologies and Internet-based e-diagnostics tools.
Vendors must also embrace standards, especially in e-diagnostics, Mayer said. "So far at IBM, we have seen a lot of cooperation [from the equipment makers]," he said. "However, on the automation and e-diagnostics front, more work has to be done."
In a brief interview after the keynote, the IBM executive also indicated that the worldwide IC market is poised for a slow and gradual recovery in 2002.
Overall, however, it could be another gloomy year for ICs. "I see little growth this year," he told SBN.
There are some positive signs "in consumer and wireless," he said. "Consumer products like game consoles look positive this year. We don't expect growth in the core networking market." |
