News Article
Metrology Passes OEMs
The Semiconductor Metrology/Inspection Equipment Market grew 24.8% in 2011 while overall semiconductor equipment grew 9.3%, marking only the third time in 10 years, according to the report "Metrology, Inspection, and Process Control in VLSI Manufacturing", recently published by The Information Network, (www.theinformationnet.com) a New Tripoli, PA-based market research company.
"For 2011, the Semiconductor Metrology/Inspection market outperformed the overall semiconductor equipment market, as it did in 2008 and 2005, growing only 24.8%, compared to an overall growth rate of 9.3% for the front-end equipment market according to preliminary findings," noted Dr. Robert Castellano, president of The Information Network.
Historically, sales of process control tools have mirrored sales of the entire front-end equipment market. Prior to 2003, metrology/inspection sales outperformed the overall front-end equipment market in six out of eight years.
- In 2006, metrology/inspection revenues grew 14.5% compared to 23.2% for the total front-end equipment sector.
- In 2007, metrology/inspection revenues grew 8.4% compared to 10.6% for the total front-end equipment sector.
- In 2008, metrology/inspection revenues decreased 19.3% while the total front-end equipment sector decreased 33.0%.
- In 2009, metrology/inspection revenues decreased 46.3% while the total front-end equipment sector decreased 42.4%.
Semiconductor yields reached a level that sampling of wafers was relaxed in 2006, as end users (semiconductor manufacturers) found ways to minimize capital expenditures.
For 2011, the top three metrology/inspection suppliers were KLA-Tencor, Hitachi High Tech, and Applied Materials.
