Global Semiconductor Sales Increase in August

Growth in Tablets and PCs Encouraging

WASHINGTON, D.C.—OCTOBER 3, 2011—The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), representing U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing and design, today announced that worldwide sales of semiconductors were $25.03 billion for the month of August, a slight increase of 0.7 percent from the prior month when sales were $24.9 billion. On a year-to-date basis sales grew 2.2 percent year-over-year. All monthly sales numbers represent a three-month moving average.

“Sales in August were in large part driven by strong demand in tablets and PC’s,” said Brian Toohey, president, Semiconductor Industry Association. “Growth in these areas is encouraging, however lower consumer and industrial demand across a wide range of products and markets is keeping overall sales lower than expected at this point.”

A strong month-to-month increase in sales from Japan due to recovery efforts and output from fabrication facilities after the natural disaster earlier this year helped to increase semiconductor sales throughout August. Additionally, due to the compounding effect of increased semiconductor content in cars, automotive application specific semiconductors have experienced double digit growth year-to-date. In the midst of a slow and soft global economic picture, growth in the semiconductor industry is promising.

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About the SIA

The Semiconductor Industry Association, SIA, is the voice of the U.S. semiconductor industry, America's number-one export industry over the last five years and a bellwether measurement of the U.S. economy. Semiconductor innovations form the foundation for America's $1.1 trillion dollar technology industry affecting a U.S. workforce of nearly 6 million. Founded in 1977 by five microelectronics pioneers, SIA unites over 60 companies that account for 80 percent of the semiconductor production of this country. Through this coalition SIA seeks to strengthen US leadership of semiconductor design and manufacturing by working with Congress, the Administration and other key industry groups. The SIA works to encourage policies and regulations that fuel innovation, propel business and drive international competition in order to maintain a thriving semiconductor industry in the United States. Learn more at www.sia-online.org