Taiwan semiconductor equipment industry overview

Worries about a global economic downturn have taken a toll on a number of industries, with the semiconductor industry being no exception. Players in the semiconductor industry have cut their annual capital expenditure (capex) this year to cope with the weak demand, and SEMI projects that following 6% market growth in 2007, the semiconductor equipment market will decline 20% in 2008 with sales reaching US$34.12 billion.