SAN JOSE – Worldwide sales of semiconductor manufacturing equipment totaled $42.77 billion in 2007, up 6% year-over-year, SEMI reported.

“Supported by the momentum of the 300-mm ramp and intensive memory investments, the global semiconductor equipment industry experienced its second-best year ever," said Stanley T. Myers, president and CEO of SEMI. "Of note are the Taiwan and China regions, where Taiwan has surpassed Japan, and the China new equipment market is approaching the size of Europe’s."
 
For the first time, Taiwan spent more on semiconductor equipment than any other region, growing 46% year-over-year to reach $10.65 billion. Japan claimed the No. 2 spot with $9.31 billion in equipment sales. South Korea ascended to third place, reaching $7.35 billion, passing North America, at $6.55 billion. China grew 26% over 2006, reaching $2.92 billion. The aggregate of other areas decreased 18%, said SEMI, while the equipment market in Europe fell 8%.
 
The global wafer processing equipment market segment increased 11%; the assembly and packaging segment grew 15%, and total test equipment sales decreased 21%. Other front end, including mask/reticle equipment, fabrication facility, and wafer manufacturing equipment increased 2%.

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