Order momentum has remained very strong. For '99, Korea showed the largest regional growth, thanks largely to its economic stumbling of the previous years. The Asian country grew 60 percent over 1998. Bookings have exceeded billings in nearly every quarter since Q1 '99, Myers noted. Myers noted that the forecast is a consensus outlook from SEMI member companies.
Annual projections are frequently off the mark.
What will drive the growth in the next three years is not only demand but the shift to 300mm wafer manufacturing, something that's been in development since 1994. That forecast has been revised to roughly four fabs now, he pointed out. All rights reserved.