IC Industry Review and Forecast — Light at the End of the Tunnel

Brian Matas, IC Insights

Abstract:

Historically, the semiconductor market has been characterized by a pattern of cyclical peaks and valleys. Though the exact duration and magnitude of moving from one phase to the next has always been difficult to predict, there are some key elements such as worldwide GDP growth, electronic system sales growth, IC unit volume shipments, and capital spending trends that have suggested when a cycle is bottoming or peaking. Whether in a peak or valley, the IC industry continues to relentlessly develop smaller, faster devices with greater density that consume less power for an ever-growing list of applications. Though dour economic conditions suggest that the IC industry is in a weak period, it is often during cyclical downturns that some of the brightest innovations and biggest gains are made.

This presentation will provide a review of the semiconductor market history and forecast and present IC Insights’ perspective of where the industry is currently positioned in its cycle. Included in the presentation is IC Insights’ view on why it believes “fab-lite” companies, fabless companies, and pure-play foundries are on a collision course. Despite this and the softness in the current market, IC Insights believes that the outlook for the IC market is bright.

Curriculum Vitae

Brian Matas has worked in the semiconductor industry for more than 20 years. At IC Insights, Mr. Matas specializes in analyzing and forecasting developing trends in the analog, microcontroller, microprocessor, and memory IC markets. Additional responsibilities include monitoring IC trends in consumer electronics. Prior to helping form IC Insights, he worked several years with Motorola in process engineering and with ICE Corporation in market research analysis.

Mr. Matas received his Bachelor’s degree in Physics from Anderson University and a Master’s degree in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach.