Global Semiconductor Sales Hit Record $298.3 Billion in 2010

by Semiconductor Industry Association

SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION REPORTS NEARLY 32% INCREASE IN ANNUAL GLOBAL CHIP SALES

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Jan. 31, 2011—The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), representing United States leadership in semiconductor manufacturing and design, and the heartbeat of American innovation, today announced that worldwide semiconductor sales for 2010 reached a record $298.3 billion, a year-on-year increase of 31.8 percent from the $226.3 billion recorded in 2009. Worldwide semiconductor sales in December amounted to $25.2 billion, a modest decline of 3.0 percent from the month prior in line with historical seasonality, and 12.2 percent higher than December 2009. Fourth quarter sales of $75.5 billion represent a 4.0 percent decline from the immediate prior quarter, and a 12.2 percent increase over the same period in 2009.

“Semiconductor sales are a bright spot in our current economic picture, delivering a record high in the billions. The year-over-year growth is due in part to the increased use of semiconductor technology in a wider range of electronic devices that we have come to enjoy in modern life,” said Brian Toohey, president, Semiconductor Industry Association. “Our member companies continue to ramp up their operations to meet the growing demand for semiconductor innovation.”

In 2010, all major semiconductor product categories showed double-digit growth year-over-year. As semiconductors have been America’s top export over the last five years, it is important to note that the Asia Pacific region represents 54 percent of the total worldwide semiconductor market. The Americas semiconductor market only accounts for 18 percent of the world market.

“Semiconductor design and manufacturing facilities are strategic to our nation’s economic growth. However, our industry is faced with fierce global competition and our policymakers and regulators must ensure that we have balanced tax, regulatory and trade policies to allow our industry to continue to flourish in the U.S. and remain America’s largest export industry,” Toohey concluded.

For the current year, the Semiconductor Industry Association forecasts moderate single digit growth for the industry sector as a whole. This growth projection is encouraging given the continued impact of the economic downturn.

For more information about the Semiconductor Industry Association and its member companies, visit semiconductors.org.

VIEW DATA TABLE AND GRAPH HERE

About the SIA Global Sales Report

The SIA Global Sales Report (GSR) is a three-month moving average of sales activity. The GSR is tabulated by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization, an independent, non-profit organization established by the global semiconductor industry to compile industry statistics. The moving average is a mathematical smoothing technique that mitigates variations due to differences in companies’ financial calendars.

About the SIA

The Semiconductor Industry Association, SIA, is the voice of the Unites States semiconductor industry, America’s number-one export industry over the last five years and a bell weather measurement of the US 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 90 percent of the semiconductor production of this country. Through this coalition SIA seeks to strengthen US 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

Caroline Kazmierski
Semiconductor Industry Association
ckazmierski@sia-online.org
o. 202-446-1101
c. 214-335-8843