Downturn? What downturn? Chipmakers, vendors move forward with 300-mm plans

摘要

The semiconductor industry is bracing for its worst sales in a decade. That gloomy prospect, however, hasn't fazed several chipmakers and suppliers with ambitious 300-mm plans. The World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) group has forecast a 13.5% decrease in revenues to approximately $177 billion in 2001. Representing 70 semiconductor manufacturers, WSTS says weak demand for PCs and cellular phones is the primary cause of the drop in chip sales. But Intel, IBM, and at least two Asian foundries recently announced they would continue scheduled fab projects. Some of the companies based their decisions on an optimistic assessment that the industry's fortunes will improve by the end of this year or the beginning of 2002.