The worldwide microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) market topped $6 billion and is growing at a compound annual rate of 14 percent, according to Research and Markets (Dublin, Ireland).

Separately, Yole Developpement (Lyon, France) reported that the MEMS market saw record growth among the top 30 MEMS manufacturers, based in part on higher accelerometer sales that were up 300 percent.

Hewlett Packard retained the top position by virtue of its MEMS injet printheads with $850 million in sales. Texas Instruments and Robert Bosch retained the Nos. 2 and 3 positions in the rankings.

STMicroelectronics replaced Lexmark as the No. 4 MEMS supplier based on boosted sales of accelerometers used in products like Apple's iPhone. Lexmark and Seiko Epson moving down to fifth and sixth, respectively. Freescale Semiconductor retained it No. 7 ranking

The fastest growing MEMS makers, according to Yole, included Knowles Acoustics with its MEMS microphone which was up 35 percent over last year, with Analog Devices and Avago Technologies each also reporting record annual growth of more than 20 percent.

Nine companies exceeded $200 million in sales during 2007, according to Yole, compared to only four companies in 2006. Analog Devices joined the group based on growing accelerometer sales in consumer devices like Nintendo's Wii.

By: DocMemory
Copyright © 2023 CST, Inc. All Rights Reserved