Lithography fared better than other sectors in 2001

VLSI Research has published its list of the top 10 equipment suppliers to the chip industry for 2001. Unsurprisingly, the research company noted 2001 was the worst year in semiconductor history.

The results show lithography equipment manufacturers to have performed better than other equipment manufacturers in 2001, with combined shipments falling only 24% from 2000. This compares with a 57% decline for test manufacturers and a 35% decline for other wafer processing equipment manufacturers.

There was no change in the rankings of the top three equipment suppliers. Applied Materials continued to dominate, with sales of $13 billion. Tokyo Electron and Nikon ranked second and third, with sales of $7.2 billion and $3.8 billion respectively. VLSI research said the three companies' rankings have remained unchanged since 1992.

Overall, the combined shipments of the top 10 companies declined 31% from 2000 to $20.3 billion in 2001.