Blog

by Semiconductor Industry Association

Next Monday, SIA will release its March 2015 global sales report (GSR), which will include sales totals for the first quarter (Q1) of 2015. With two-thirds of Q1 sales already in the books, how should we assess semiconductor sales thus far and what questions should we be thinking about ahead of next week’s GSR release?

by John Neuffer, President and CEO

This week, House and Senate committees are considering the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (TPA-2015), legislation that would enable free trade agreements, strengthen the U.S. semiconductor industry, and promote job creation and growth throughout the U.S. economy. The Senate Finance Committee approved the bill late yesterday with bipartisan support, and the […]

by Semiconductor Industry Association

The House Science Committee today will consider legislation to authorize federal funding for key research and technology programs. The America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015 (H.R. 1806) would allow for needed investments in agencies that drive growth and innovation in the semiconductor industry and throughout our economy, including the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institute […]

by Semiconductor Industry Association

April 19 marks the 50th anniversary of the publication of Gordon Moore’s seminal article in Electronics Magazine, which laid out the pace at which semiconductor technology advancement would occur. This observation, which has come to be known as “Moore’s Law,” states that the number of transistors on a semiconductor would double every two years, thereby rapidly […]

by Semiconductor Industry Association

When it comes to America’s high-skilled immigration system, demand for talent far exceeds supply. That unfortunate fact will be reinforced this week as the U.S. government begins accepting applications from employers for H-1B visas for highly educated workers who are needed to fill open jobs in the U.S. Since U.S. businesses demand far more skilled […]

by Semiconductor Industry Association

Did you know that the global semiconductor industry reached record sales of $336 billion in 2014? Did you know that the U.S. semiconductor industry maintained market share leadership with 51 percent of the global market in 2014? Did you know that semiconductors were America’s third-leading manufactured export in 2014 behind only airplanes and automobiles? These […]

by Semiconductor Industry Association

The World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization recently published its annual Semiconductor End-Use Report for 2014, which breaks down sales by end-use and regional end-market for a wide variety of semiconductor products. The figure below shows the six major semiconductor end applications by percent share of total semiconductor end sales for 2014.

by David Isaacs, Vice President, Government Affairs

When it comes to the immigration debate in Washington, too often the facts get lost in the rhetoric. To set the record straight on immigration, SIA and a group of 18 other industry leaders have developed a document titled “Debunking the Myth that Immigration Harms America.” The document, which was presented today at a hearing […]

by David Isaacs, Vice President, Government Affairs

At a meeting in Vienna, Austria this week, a United Nations commission will decide whether to restrict the use of two chemicals of critical importance to the semiconductor industry under an international drug control agreement. In comments to the U.S. government, SIA outlined its strong opposition to the restriction of these chemicals and urged U.S. […]

by Semiconductor Industry Association

[Note: This is part one of a series on the semiconductor manufacturing process and the associated industry business models.] Often, I am asked by people new to the semiconductor industry how semiconductors are made. While the science and engineering behind how semiconductors are made is akin to modern day alchemy and the process is quite […]

by Semiconductor Industry Association

In a meaningful, incremental step forward in the effort to reform America’s high-skilled immigration system, the Obama Administration today announced a new regulation that will allow spouses of certain high-skilled immigrants working in the U.S. to apply for work authorization of their own. This common sense initiative will increase companies’ access to the world’s top […]

by John Neuffer, President and CEO

SIA and a coalition of technology leaders today urged Congress to approve Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation, which would help the United States negotiate and finalize key trade agreements that will lower tariffs, boost U.S. exports and create jobs: “TPA gives the U.S. one voice on trade … [It] strengthens our country’s negotiating position and […]