Worldwide Semiconductor Sales Projected to Top $300 Billion in 2011

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), representing U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing and design, today announced that the SIA has endorsed the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization's Autumn 2011 global semiconductor sales forecast, which has projected semiconductor sales to grow to $302 Billion for 2011, reaching the $300 Billion mark for the first time and representing a 1.3 percent growth rate over the record-breaking year in 2010. Worldwide sales for October 2011 remained essentially flat at $25.7 billion, a 0.1 percent decrease from prior month's sales of $25.8 billion. All monthly sales numbers represent a three-month moving average.

"The combination of record-breaking sales in 2010 coupled with this year's forecast topping the $300 Billion mark for the first time is welcome news for both the semiconductor industry and the entire economy," said Brian Toohey, president, Semiconductor Industry Association.  "Despite a challenging global economic environment this year and the natural disasters that have impacted production in Asia, the semiconductor industry has demonstrated impressive resilience. The growing level of semiconductor content embedded across a wide range of consumer, industrial, business and government applications points to continued growth in 2012 and 2013."

For the month of October 2011, Japan continued its recovery with month-over-month growth at 2.2 percent marking the fourth consecutive month of growth.  Additionally, year to date semiconductor shipments to the Americas region grew 4.6 percent, followed by shipments to Asia Pacific at 3.4 percent and Europe at 1.2 percent year-over-year. 

Beyond 2011, the industry is on track to grow steadily and modestly according to the WSTS forecast. WSTS is predicting 3.7 percent growth for 2012 and 5.8 percent growth for 2013. WSTS tabulates its annual forecast by convening an extensive group of global semiconductor companies that provide accurate and timely indicators of semiconductor trends.

About the SIA
The Semiconductor Industry Association, SIA, is the voice of the U.S. semiconductor industry, America's number-one export industry over the last five years and a bellwether measurement of the U.S. economy. Semiconductor innovations form the foundation for America's $1.1 trillion dollar technology industry affecting a U.S. workforce of nearly 6 million. Founded in 1977 by five microelectronics pioneers, SIA unites over 60 companies that account for 80 percent of the semiconductor production of this country. Through this coalition SIA seeks to strengthen U.S. leadership of semiconductor design and manufacturing by working with Congress, the Administration and other key industry groups. The SIA works to encourage policies and regulations that fuel innovation, propel business and drive international competition in order to maintain a thriving semiconductor industry in the United States. Learn more at www.sia-online.org.

Media Contact
Ebun Caldeira
Semiconductor Industry Association
[email protected]
202-446-1706

SOURCE Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA)