Date: 03/11/2009

Tower Semiconductor outperforms global semiconductor fab business

When most of the leading 0.45nm fabs are still not able cross their 2008 revenues, Israel based specialized and customized semiconductor fabrication service provider Tower Jazz Semiconductor lead the pack in growth with its annual revenues in 2009 expected to grow at double digit figures compared to its 2008 revenues.

What's interesting is Tower has fabs to make chips at older technology nodes of 1 micron and more. But it's process supports technologies such as SiGe, BiCMOS, RFCMOS, Image Sensor, Power Management (BCD), Embedded Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) and MEMS capabilities integrated with CMOS. This technological strength allows Tower to make true SoC chips with logic, analog, RF, sensor onboard a monolithic chip. Also,unlike TSMC and Chartered Tower does't looks to be making commodity type chips for mobile gadgets.

Tower Semiconductor has announced it expects record third quarter 2009 revenues in the range of $77 million to $80 million, a 30% increase from previous quarter revenues of $60.6 million and a 34% increase year over year.