New Report Highlights Benefits, Impact of Global Semiconductor Value Chain
May 11, 2016 | SIAEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), representing U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing, design, and research, today released a new report highlighting the evolution, complexity, and pivotal importance of the global semiconductor value chain. The report, drafted by Nathan Associates and titled, “Beyond Borders: How an Interconnected Industry Promotes Innovation and Growth,” emphasizes the global value chain’s tremendous benefits to technological advancement, semiconductor companies, affiliated industries, participating countries, and the global economy. The report also warns of the risks of attempting to reproduce the entire value chain within a single country.
“Much like the intricate circuitry of chips themselves, the global semiconductor value chain is a complex, interdependent network that is highly efficient, productive, and constantly evolving,” said John Neuffer, president and CEO, Semiconductor Industry Association. “This interlocking ecosystem drives growth and innovation and strengthens participating countries by increasing employment and export opportunities.”
The “Beyond Borders” report examines how the semiconductor value chain weaves together researchers, designers, manufacturers, assemblers, and suppliers from all over the world to create the building blocks of modern electronics. The system is driven in part by the extreme complexity and competitive nature of the industry itself. Nonstop, competition-driven demand for more and better capabilities, features, reliability, miniaturization, and speed at reduced cost requires a heavy investment in research and development, design, and efficient, low-cost manufacturing, testing, assembling and packaging, and distribution.
These same pressures also affect a vast array of supporting activities, such as the production of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, development of design software and other semiconductor intellectual property, and provision of raw materials. The pressures have compelled semiconductor companies to develop business models that look beyond national borders to achieve efficiencies to compete in the marketplace. Moving forward, this trend is likely to continue and intensify as the demand for innovation becomes even greater, according to the report.
“The semiconductor industry is relentlessly focused on the future, on exploring and advancing new technological frontiers such as brain-inspired computing, the Internet of Things, energy-efficient sensing, automated devices, robotics, and artificial intelligence,” Neuffer said. “A globally interdependent system that links together the strengths and capabilities of each participant will help the semiconductor industry unlock new technologies that will shape the future of the digital economy.”
About SIA
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) is the voice of the U.S. semiconductor industry, one of America's top export industries and a key driver of America’s economic strength, national security, and global competitiveness. Semiconductors – microchips that control all modern electronics – enable the systems and products we use to work, communicate, travel, entertain, harness energy, treat illness, and make new scientific discoveries. The semiconductor industry directly employs nearly a quarter of a million people in the U.S. In 2015, U.S. semiconductor company sales totaled $166 billion, and semiconductors make the global trillion dollar electronics industry possible. SIA seeks to strengthen U.S. leadership of semiconductor manufacturing, design, and research by working with Congress, the Administration and other key industry stakeholders to encourage policies and regulations that fuel innovation, propel business and drive international competition.
Suggested Items
Connect the Dots: Designing for Reality—The Pre-Manufacturing Process
05/08/2024 | Matt Stevenson -- Column: Connect the DotsI have been working with Nolan Johnson on a podcast series about designing PCBs for the reality of manufacturing. By sharing lessons learned over a long career in the PCB industry, we hope to shorten learning curves and help designers produce better boards with less hassle and rework. Episode 2 deals with the electronic pre-manufacturing process. Moving from CAD (computer-aided design) to CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) is a key step in PCB manufacturing. CAM turns digital designs into instructions that machines can use to actually build the PCB.
All Flex Solutions Hires Mike Madetzke as Manager of R&D
05/08/2024 | All Flex SolutionsAll Flex Solutions is very pleased to announce that Mike Madetzke has joined their team as their new Manager of Research and Development.
Shane Whiteside of Summit Reflects on Today's PCB Landscape
05/08/2024 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamSummit Interconnect began as a printed circuit board manufacturing company just eight years ago and has seen impressive growth organically and through acquisition. Summit President and CEO Shane Whiteside takes a few moments to share his thoughts on the growing PCB industry in the United States.
America Projected to Triple Semiconductor Manufacturing Capacity by 2032, the Largest Rate of Growth in the World
05/08/2024 | SIAThe Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), in partnership with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), released a report on the global chip supply chain that projects the United States will triple its domestic semiconductor manufacturing capacity from 2022—when the CHIPS and Science Act (CHIPS) was enacted—to 2032.
Coherix Partners with EMU on 'Factory of the Future' Technology Program
05/08/2024 | PRNewswireMichigan-based Coherix is working with Eastern Michigan University (EMU) in Ypsilanti to develop "factory-of-the-future" manufacturing and assembly technology.