Feb 17 2009
TFT-LCD equipment grew 30% in 2008 but will drop 41% in 2009, according to the report LCD Market: Technology Directions and Market Analysis, recently published by The Information Network a New Tripoli, PA-based market research company.
"Although LCD manufacturers have announced capex reductions of about 50% for 2009 in response to the global economic crisis, capex is a moving target subject to change throughout the year. For example, in anticipation of a banner year in 2008, initial capex forecasts made in early 2008 called for an 86% increase. In fact, capex ended up growing only 13%.” notes Dr. Robert N. Castellano, President of The Information Network.
The Information Network forecasts array processing equipment to decrease 41% in 2009 following an increase of 30% in 2008.
Large-size TFT-LCD panel growth in 2009 will be buoyed by LCD TV and notebook sales. For 2009, 113.3 million panels will be sold for LCD TVs, up 20.5% from 94.0 million in 2008. Panels for notebooks will grow slightly faster, up 26.6% to 177.0 million panels. Panels for monitors will decrease 17.0% in 2009 to 144.9 million units.
“Panel makers are stringently controlling costs while improving the technology innovation at this time,” added Dr. Castellano. “While unit shipments of large-size panels will increase 6.5% to 448.1 million panels, equipment purchases will decrease 41%.”
The Information Network is a leading consulting and market research company addressing the semiconductor, LCD, HDD, MEMS, Nano, and Alternative Energy industries.