China to garner 20% of world's fab capacity, says Axcelis' CEO
By Mark LaPedus
Semiconductor Business News
(09/06/02 09:26 p.m. EST)
BEVERLY, Mass. -- China is expected to account for 20% of the world's chip manufacturing capacity over the next five to ten years, propelling the nation past its Asian rivals in this arena, according to the top executive at Axcelis Technologies Inc.
In that time frame, China could also emerge as the world's second largest nation in terms of chip manufacturing, behind the United States but surpassing Japan, predicted Mary Puma, president and CEO of Axcelis, a chip-equipment supplier in Beverly, Mass.
The predication also implies that China would surpass Europe, Korea, Singapore, and, of course, the foundry capital of the world--Taiwan.
Even now, China's IC industry is booming. While several domestic IC companies are building new, 8-inch fabs, Taiwan's foundry giants are also moving into the mainland. For example, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (TSMC) has reportedly secured enough land to build two 8-inch fabs and another two 300-mm plants in Shanghai (see today's story ).
“The China market is very active,” Puma said. “Even during the downturn, China has invested through the cycle,” she said in an interview with SBN.
The move has also prompted chip-equipment makers to invest in China as well. For example, Axcelis this week completed the acquisition of the semiconductor equipment division of China's Tritek International. This organization--one of China's leading fab-gear distribution and support firms--had been Axcelis' sales agent in China for the last several years.
The deal was originally announced in July (see July 16 story ). Under terms of the acquisition, Tritek's semiconductor equipment division will become part of Axcelis' China subsidiary, dubbed Axcelis Technologies China.
The division, which has 40 employees, has sales, service and applications support operations in Tianjin, Beijing and Shanghai. Andrew Lee, managing director of Axcelis Technologies China, will lead operations.
The deal with Tritek brings “people and support” for Axcelis' efforts in China, according to Puma. |
