Semiconductor manufacturing equipment sales grew 10.3% in 2003

Worldwide semiconductor manufacturing equipment sales totaled $22.8 bil in 2003, a 10.3% increase from 2002 sales, according to Gartner, Inc. Gartner analysts attributed the increased revenue to improved supply and demand fundamentals, which rekindled demand for equipment in the second half of 2003. The three major sectors in the semiconductor manufacturing equipment market experienced revenue increases in 2003. Wafer fab equipment sales (the largest sector) grew 3.6% in 2003. In the back-end, packaging and assembly equipment increased 30.5% and automated test equipment (ATE) grew 39.4%, as reported by Tekrati.