The global semiconductor industry has experienced many stories in the just-ended 2021. On the one hand, the continuously spreading chip shortage has caused great distress to the entire semiconductor industry and posed a great challenge to the global semiconductor ecosystem. On the other hand, the impact of the epidemic and the surge in demand for telecommuting-related semiconductor products, accelerated development in data centers, artificial intelligence, 5G communications, and new energy vehicles have contributed to the semiconductor industry boom.
How will China's semiconductor industry develop in 2022? When will the global supply chain shortage be eased? How will governments promote to support the development of semiconductor industry? All these are of great concern to the industry. <SILICON China> magazine presents a special interview with Markus Reissmann, General Manager of esmo Asia North Co., Ltd. Markus Reissmann, shares his analysis and views on these issues.
Introduction of the interviewer
The esmo Group is a global expert in manipulator, docking & interfacing solutions for semiconductor industry.
Markus Reissmann, General Manager of esmo China – esmo Asia North Co., Ltd. joined and leads esmo in 2018, having worked in the chemical, automotive and semiconductor industries for more than 25 years.
About esmo Asia North Co., Ltd.
Located in Shanghai, China, is a subsidiary of esmo group, which has been present in Shanghai for more than 10 years. We are committed to meeting the requirements and needs of our Asian customers by offering esmo's products and service with high standards of German engineering.
SiSC：Please provide an outlook on the global semiconductor industry in 2022.
Markus: According to the statistics 2021 global semiconductor revenue growth of 25.1%, this was occurred under the state of global automotive, consumer electronics industry lack of chip. Accordingly we expect the global semiconductor industry in 2022 will still continue to high growth, especially now AI, telecommuting and other industries are developing rapidly, China's domestic semiconductor technology and talents is also developing, we expect the global semiconductor industry in 2022 growth trend is no less than in 2021.
SiSC：What challenges do you think Chinese semiconductor industry will to face?
Markus: The digitization of products and equipment in all areas of our life will lead to a significant increasing demand for semiconductor products. The installation of the necessary capacity on the expected demand will be a big challenge not only for this year, also for the next coming years.
SiSC：What problems do you think the supply chain will face in 2022 combined with your business.
Markus: Due to the shortage of chips, and high-end actuators required by our company we have been affected. Judging from the current supply situation, it will still be difficult to effectively solve this problem in the first half of 2022.
SiSC：How do you think we can fully benefit from the state’s support policies for the semiconductor industry? How does this guide your business development?
Markus: We assume that the large-scale state stimulus packages will continue to booster the market. 2021 Test equipment market has significant grow and the momentum will continue in 2022. We expect to benefit from this.
SiSC：What are the new requirements or challenges for semiconductor manufacturing and packaging technologies due to the rapid development of 5G, AI, loT and driverless technologies in recent years? How does your company respond to these new requirements?
Markus: The demand on high performance devices with low energy consumption with ultra-small form factor and wireless connectivity will drive the market and create corresponding demand. Accordingly, new chip generations will be developed and brought to the market. Our company is supporting the tester maker and device developer with the latest state of the art equipment.
SiSC：What’s your company’s technology or product plan for 2022?
Markus: Our company will continue to invest in new product development and work very closely with our customers on new equipment which makes production more efficient and operation excellence.
SiSC：Looking back on 2021, how is the development of the entire semiconductor industry? What achievements has your company achieved?
Markus: Taking advantage of the dividends of the rapid development of the global semiconductor industry, esmo as an upstream supplier of semicon testing, packaging and system integration, is also enjoying this dividend, with shipments of the manipulator growing significantly compared to 2020, and other semiconductor test machine related products such as docking & interface, prober/pogo tower also achieving gratifying growth.
About <Silicon Semiconductor China>
<Silicon Semiconductor China> – the 'sister' title to Silicon Semiconductor, the world's most respected and authoritative publication, published by ACT International in Hong Kong – reports and publishes the latest news, in-depth analyses, and authoritative commentaries on the semiconductor industry. It provides Chinese semiconductor professionals with essential business, technology, and product information. Its editorial covers semiconductor manufacturing, advanced packaging, wafer fabrication, integrated circuits, MEMs, FPDs, etc. The publication serves the Chinese semiconductor industry, from IC design, manufacturing, packaging to application, etc.