Clark County semiconductor manufacturers are once again operating at full capacity after two years of falling orders, furloughs and layoffs, economic development officials and companies within the industry report.
The turnaround, which started in late 2009, is now nearing a steady pace as consumer demand returns for computers, mobile phones and other personal electronics.
“It has been a remarkable turnaround in the sector,” said Bart Phillips, president of the Columbia River Economic Development Council. “When the economy tanked, orders for new chips plummeted and plants were operating at 40 or 50 percent of capacity… That is no longer the case.”
Chip makers are ramping up production in response to a general increase in global demand for their products. Though worldwide semiconductor sales were down 1.3 percent from the previous month at $22 billion in February, sales were up 56.2 percent from a year ago, according to a report released Monday by the Semiconductor Industry Association.