North America increases share of chip sales in 2011

LONDON – North American companies were responsible for 53 percent of IC sales in 2011 and grew market share, according to IC Insights Inc. (Scottsdale, Ariz.).

South Korea passed Japan for the first time and was ranked second in market share and at the same time Chinese companies grew their share of sales. These regions improved at the expense of European companies.

North American companies gained just over three points of market share in 2011 to account for 53.2 percent of worldwide IC sales, IC Insights said. The figures do not include foundry wafer sales which become chip sales for fabless chip companies. Nor does it include optoelectronic, sensor, or discrete devices.  Over the past three years, North American companies have held more than 50% market share.

Taiwanese companies lost just over one point of market share in 2011 due to the extreme weakness of the DRAM market and the corresponding sales decline by that country's memory suppliers Powerchip, ProMOS, and Nanya.  

While China continues to attract foreign IC production to its country, including TSMC, Intel, Hynix and soon Samsung, its indigenous IC suppliers held only 1.6 percent of the worldwide IC market. The gain in China's 2011 market share is primarily attributable to the success of its fabless chip companies including HiSilicon and Spreadtrum.



Worldwide IC sales by company headquarters location, not including foundry sales.


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