Industry ‘well positioned for growth in 2010’
Global chip sales fell nine per cent overall in 2009 but are on tack to increase this year, according to new data from the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).
In the last year semiconductor sales were $248.6bn, which was above the level expected by the SIA. Demand picked up at the end of the year, with December showing a sales increase of 29 per cent over the year before.
“2009 turned out to be a better year for the global semiconductor industry than expected,” said SIA President George Scalise.
“A strong focus on inventories throughout the supply chain mitigated the impact of the worldwide economic downturn and positioned the industry for growth as the global economy recovers. With improving consumer confidence and signs of economic recovery around the world, the semiconductor industry is well positioned for growth in 2010.”
Demand from China and India was highlighted as crucial in shoring up demand for new semiconductors according to the SIA. Both countries are investing heavily in upgrading their electronic infrastructures and are also a growing market for consumer electronics.
Scalise said that demand for new chips would dip slightly in the first quarter of this year, as expected given the season, before recovering.
