Sign in Subscribe
Semiconductor industry

March 1995 Semiconductor Equipment Market Sees Improvement

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) reported the preliminary book-to-bill figure for U.S.-based semiconductor production, test and assembly equipment manufacturers narrowed to 1.27 in March 1995 from a revised February figure of 1.41. This indicates a slight contraction in the market compared to the previous month. However, the preliminary results for March 1995 show total shipments of $800.3 million, a 35 percent increase from March 1994, and bookings improved by more than 60 percent on a year-to-year basis, surpassing the $1 billion mark for the first time.

Key Takeaways:

  • The March 1995 book-to-bill ratio for U.S.-based semiconductor equipment manufacturers narrowed to 1.27, indicating a slight contraction in the market compared to February.
  • Total shipments of $800.3 million in March 1995 showed a 35 percent increase from March 1994.
  • Bookings improved by more than 60 percent on a year-to-year basis, passing the $1 billion mark for the first time.
  • Front-end equipment shipments, comprising predominantly wafer processing equipment, increased 15 percent over February and were 37 percent higher than one year ago, reaching $585.5 million.
  • Front-end bookings of $752.5 million were five percent higher than the prior month and 71 percent higher than March 1994.
  • March test equipment shipments were 14 percent greater than the prior month, reaching $164.2 million, a 20 percent increase over March 1994.
  • Order input for test equipment in March reached $220.9 million, a two percent improvement over the prior month and 47 percent higher than the same period in 1994.
  • The resulting book-to-bill for test equipment was 1.35.
  • Three-month average shipments for assembly and packaging equipment surged in March 1995, reaching a record $50.6 million for North American manufacturers, and 46 percent higher than February's results.
  • March bookings also improved, but at a slower rate of 21 percent, reaching $42.5 million for the month.
  • The resulting book-to-bill ratio for the month was 0.84.
  • On a year-over-year basis, assembly and packaging equipment shipments increased 75 percent, while bookings were 35 percent higher.

Statistics:

  • 35 percent increase in total shipments from March 1994 to March 1995.
  • 60 percent improvement in bookings from March 1994 to March 1995.
  • $1 billion mark passed in bookings for the first time.
  • 37 percent increase in front-end equipment shipments compared to March 1994.
  • 71 percent increase in front-end bookings compared to March 1994.
  • 20 percent increase in test equipment shipments from March 1994 to March 1995.
  • 47 percent increase in order input for test equipment from the same period in 1994.
  • 1.35 book-to-bill ratio for test equipment in March 1995.
  • 46 percent increase in three-month average shipments for assembly and packaging equipment compared to February.
  • 21 percent increase in bookings for assembly and packaging equipment from February to March 1995.
  • 0.84 book-to-bill ratio for assembly and packaging equipment in March 1995.
  • 75 percent increase in assembly and packaging equipment shipments from the same period in 1994.
  • 35 percent increase in assembly and packaging bookings from the same period in 1994.

Sources:

  • SEMI (Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International)
  • Arthur Andersen & Co. (independent public accounting firm)

Read more