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Reasons to be confident
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20/07/2006
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The UK microelectronics industry has a lot to celebrate, according to a recent survey of 450 organisations involved in semiconductor design and development.
The National Microelectronics Institute (NMI) surveyed IDMs, fabless companies, IP developers, design service providers and research organisations in the UK and Ireland, finding a high degree of optimism amongst respondents. When asked how they viewed the business outlook for the next 12months, 85% said they saw either moderate or high growth opportunities, whilst just 1% expected a decline. The survey also showed a high level of asic design starts in the UK – 15% of the worldwide figure.
The fact that 80% of design companies surveyed are foreign owned suggests the level of innovation within the UK is well recognised by others. Whilst the NMI cites a common belief that ‘UK companies lack either ambition or confidence to exploit the nation’s assets in design’, it says that UK companies such as ARM, CSR and Wolfson are proof that the UK can commercialise and lead particular technology markets.
John Moor, director of marketing at the NMI, points out the UK has all the ingredients of a success story – ‘a healthy VC community, universities which are global leaders, a good business environment for start ups and no shortage of confidence in technical ability’. He concludes: “We acknowledge the challenges of global competition and individuals, organisations and Government need to get comfortable with a constant need to upgrade and innovate. But a new wave of companies provide signs of a domestic industry that has shed its skin and continues to evolve and adapt.”
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Author
Vanessa Knivett
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