INDUSTRY NEWS

Downturn drags down cleanroom sales

The semiconductor industry downturn has prompted the McIlvaine Co. to scale back its forecast for the growth of cleanroom sales between 1995 and 2000. In a 1999 forecast addendum the Northbrook, IL­based market research firm predicts overall sales growth for the period will average just 8.5% annually, far lower than historical double-digit rates. Cleanroom orders for the semiconductor industry will fall from $595 million in 1995 to $571 million in 2000. Annual orders for all industries will reach $2.3 billion in 2000, up from $1.5 billion in 1995. Annual growth of 12% in industries such as pharmaceuticals and medical devices will offset the reduction in the microchip sector. The good news is that semiconductor-related cleanroom sales are poised for an upturn between 2000 and 2005, says McIlvaine. The firm predicts "huge expenditures" as chip use expands to a wider range of electronics and 300-mm fabs come on-line.

Source: McIlvaine Co.; Photo Courtesy of Semitool