$2 Billion in 300mm Front-End Semiconductor Equipment
Orders in 1999 Says The Information Network
NEW TRIPOLI, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 24, 1998--Orders to equip a 300mm wafer production fab will begin in 1999,
according to the report 300mm/Copper/Low-K Convergence: Timing, Trends, Issues, Market Analysis, recently published by The
Information Network, a New Tripoli, PA-based market research company.
''While the next 5-7 years will not meet with the original expectations in terms of overall 300mm tool sales, the transition is
inevitable,'' notes Dr. Robert N. Castellano, President of The Information Network. ''Orders will be taken for a 300mm production
facility in 1999, whose production will go online in late 2000.''
As stated on our press releases of July 27 and October 13, the fourth-quarter of 1998 will be the turning point, with revenues
essentially flat, and real growth will begin in the first quarter of 1999, moving the equipment market up 10% in 1999.
''The dramatic uptick in the equipment book-to-bill and semiconductor sales validates our analysis,'' says Dr. Castellano. ''IC
manufacturers, seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and aware that all 300mm tools are now available, will reaffirm their 1997
plans to transition to smaller linewidths and larger wafers in concert. DRAM manufacturers are particularly fearful of losing market
share to Micron Technology (NYSE:MU - news) after its acquisition of the TI (NYSE:TXN - news) fabs.''
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