Big changes seen in foundry rankings

Mark LaPedus, EE Times
(04/28/2008 1:55 PM EDT)

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- A slowdown in the foundry market reshuffled the top-10 rankings in 2007, according to Gartner Inc. (See rankings table below)

In total, the foundry business hit $22.191 billion in 2007, up a mere 2.5 percent over 2006, according to the market research firm.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (TSMC) and Taiwan's United Microelectronics Corp. (UMC) were the world's first and second largest foundries in 2007. But the companies had flat sales in 2007, according to the firm.

China's Semiconductor International Manufacturing Corp. (SMIC) jumped from fourth to third place in 2007, topping Singapore's Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Pte. Ltd., according to the rankings.

Click here to read more ...