Samsung will become the No.1 IC capex investor this year, according to
If achieved, it will be another milestone on Samsung's planned rise to the top of the semiconductor tree.
Back in 1983, when Samsung started into making memory ICs, it announced its intention of becoming the world's No.1 semiconductor company, and then retaining that position for the subsequent 100 years.
In 1992, Samsung became the world's No.1 DRAM supplier.
In 1993, Samsung made it into the ranks of the semiconductor Top Ten.
In 2003, it became No.1 in flash.
The same year, 2003, Samsung became No.2 in the world, and has occupied that slot ever since.
This year, in a year when Intel is not expected to increase its capex much - IC Insights reckons by only 9%, Samsung will increase capex by 42% to narrowly edge Intel out of the top spot by the fine margin of $5 billion to $4.9 billion.
How long before Samsung takes over the top spot in revenues as well, to begin that vaunted 100 year reign as the world's top semiconductor vendor?
Well it could be a little while yet.
Intel had $32 billion in revenues last year, according to iSuppli, Samsung had $17 billion.
Actually makes me think a great chart would be too show ARM based chip revenue vs. x86 based chip revenue. I am sure that would be a telling chart, wonder if someone has done something like this.
I'll see what I can do, Gregor
Technology has consolidated around 5-10 big players around the world who are gobbling up smaller companies and using their huge cash hoards to outspend the competition.Nothing reflects this better than Samsung’s massive capital spending plan this year.With a dominant share in the memory and LCD markets , Samsung with its huge capex spend this year could greatly increase the gap in technology and capacity with its competitors who are still weakened by the last year’s recession.Read more at http://greenworldinvestor.com
Yes, Abhishek, and Samsung seem to have upped their Semi and LCD capex by almost double today! At least it should make DRAMs and displays cheaper.