This year in semiconductor fab equipment spending should be one for the record books, according to new numbers in the SEMI World Fab Database. Predictions call for a 31% rise in equipment spending, which, following the 134% rise in 2010, signals a new high for the market.
The database, which tracks spending, capacity and technology node projects for every fab worldwide, shows increasing capital expenditure and growing installed semiconductor manufacturing capacity in 2011. Spending covers new and used equipment for production, pilot and R&D fabs, including investments for LED device fabrication.
“Since February, some companies have increased capex guidance and, as a result, fab equipment spending should reach an all-time high of about $44 billion,” said Christian Gregor Dieseldorff, senior analyst of fab information in the SEMI Industry Research and Statistics group. “The spending pace is expected to decline 6% to $41 billion in 2012, yet will remain the second highest annual level on record.”
