In-Stat/MDR Reports MEMS Sector Offers a Possible Silver Lining for Semiconductor Equipment Suppliers

Business Wire, Oct 2, 2002

Business Editors, High-Tech Writers

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 2, 2002

Given the downturn in the semiconductor equipment market, suppliers are now focusing more intently on the compelling opportunity MEMS fabrication is presenting, according to In-Stat/MDR (http://www.instat.com).

There are some 60 MEMS fabs/foundries, several hundred start-ups (many of which have their own in-house prototyping and/or fabrication facilities), as well as countless universities and government labs worldwide researching MEMS technology. The high-tech market research firm reports that continued unit growth and device diversity, as well as this large potential customer base, is making the MEMS sector a progressively more attractive market for semiconductor equipment manufacturers.

"Equipment for MEMS fabrication is now more available than ever before, ranging from dual purpose (for both semiconductor and MEMS processing steps) to purely MEMS-specific," says Marlene Bourne, a Senior Analyst with In-Stat/MDR. "In some areas, standard semiconductor equipment is perfectly suitable; whereas in others, MEMS fabrication presents some unique issues that can be quite different from semiconductor manufacturing -- and these differences are growing more apparent." A case in point is metrology, where MEMS provides a greater challenge for inspection, testing, and analysis than semiconductor ICs. As a result, there is sizeable opportunity at hand.

In-Stat/MDR has also found that:

-- One of the biggest competitive factors in the MEMS fab equipment market will come from the suppliers themselves -- in the form of used equipment. While many start-ups may have funds to install in-house facilities, they often purchase used, rather than new, equipment. As a result, equipment suppliers are finding themselves buying their own old equipment to re-sell it to this particular market segment.

-- More semiconductor equipment manufacturers are involved in MEMS-specific equipment than would be expected. Several of the top suppliers now have divisions focused solely on MEMS solutions, and no doubt more will emerge in time. There are even several start-ups who have developed and are offering equipment specifically for the MEMS market. Toolsets range from those for deposition, lithography, and etching, to wafer bonders, dryers, and other equipment.

The report, "Market Snapshot: MEMS Fab Equipment" (#IN020614EA), explores the need for MEMS targeted fabrication equipment, what the competitive landscape looks like and what's driving the opportunity. The report also provides a comprehensive list of the companies and the equipment they've developed for manufacturing MEMS. Unit shipment forecasts by device type and market are also included to help illustrate the direction in which the MEMS industry is moving and resulting opportunities being raised for equipment suppliers. To purchase this report, or for more information, please visit: http://www.instat.com/catalog/cat-esa.htm or contact Matthew Woods at mwoods@reedbusiness.com; 617/630-2139. The report price is $3,295 USD.

About In-Stat/MDR

In-Stat/MDR (http://www.instat.com) offers a broad range of information resources and analytical assets to technology vendors, service providers, technology professionals, and market specialists worldwide. The company stands alone in its ability to integrate both supply-side and demand-side research methodologies into a single comprehensive view of technology markets and products. This capability relies on a unique ability to cover the entire value chain from engineering-level technology, through equipment, infrastructure, services and end-users.

In-Stat/MDR is part of the Reed Electronics Group, a division of Reed Elsevier (www.reedelsevier.com), a world-leading publisher and information provider. With over 38,000 employees worldwide, Reed Elsevier operates in the science & medical, legal, education and business-to-business industry sectors, providing high value and flexible information solutions to professional end users, with increasing emphasis on the Internet.