The 11th semiconductor ‘business cycle’ since 1984 is somewhat anemic as 2007 appears to be decelerating to single-digit chip growth. And as semiconductor demand weakens, SEMI equipment is sure to follow – plunging from its lofty +40% growth rate at year end 2007. Gartner’s April semiconductor equipment forecast, projected a decline in SEMI spending in 2007. How the world changes!

Printed circuit boards also got off to a slow start. With bloated supply chain inventories, soft early-year PC and cell phone demand and the normal Chinese New Year shut down in SE Asia, PCB sales suffered. Fortunately sales improved in March, creating a mild rebound in our world PCB model. Read the full column (PDF)...

This article was taken from Global SMT & Packaging Vol. 7 No. 6 - June 2007