Korean Foundries Ramp Up Amid Hopes....
by: amkr_investor
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 02/25/02 10:49 am
Msg: 19252 of 19252
messages.yahoo.com
Korean Foundries Ramp Up Amid Hopes for an Upturn
Electronic Business Asia -- Electronic News, 2/8/2002
Korean foundries are counting on a 50 percent increase in sales revenue, year-on-year, during 2002. They think the target is feasible--if they can attract a wider customer base and cut costs.
Fab utilization has risen to 65 percent in recent months, up from a low of 50 percent during the second quarter of 2001, said Yoon Hyun-Shik, manager at Anam Semiconductor.
"Things are improving. We have bigger orders from existing customers, and we expect more orders to come from domestic ASIC companies like Ararion," Yoon said.
Anam Semiconductor also said it is seeking to attract new customers, such as Toshiba Corp., so that it can reduce its dependence on existing customers. Texas Instruments Inc., for example, currently buys 70 percent of its fab output.
Anam’s spokesman declined to comment on a report that Amkor Technology Inc. plans to adjust its stake in Anam Semiconductor in order to maximize its shareholders’ interest. Amkor has a 42 percent stake in Anam Semiconductor. The Anam manager also declined to comment on a report that another fledgling foundry company, Silterra Malaysia Sdn Bhd, was seeking to acquire Amkor’s stake in Anam.
The Anam manager said the company plans to increase its monthly output from 13,000 wafers-per-month to 15,000 during the first quarter using 0.18-micron technology.
Dongbu Electronics Co. Ltd. said it will invest about $379 million (500 billion South Korean won) this year to increase its fab capacity to 20,000 200mm wafers during this first half and 40,000 wafers per month during second half 2002, so that it can achieve its sales target of $200 million this year.
"To this end, we seek to attract $350 million of foreign capital," a Dongbu spokesman said.
Dongbu emphasized it will use its 0.13-micron CMOS process technology during the second half of 2002 for commercial production at its wafer fab in South Korea.
Hynix Semiconductor Inc. is forecasting $300 million in foundry sales in 2002, up from $190 million in 2001. Should on-going talks with Micron Technology Inc. lead to an actual merger, Hynix would then focus on IC foundry business. |
