STMicroelectronics leader in MEMS

USA: STMicroelectronics enhanced its leadership position in 2011 for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) in consumer and mobile devices. The sales figure of STMicroelectronics increased from the volume sales to Apple, particularly in its design wins in the iPhone, iPad and iPod lines.

According to the IHS iSuppli MEMS & Sensors Service, STMicroelectronics in 2011 achieved an 81 per cent increase in consumer and mobile MEMS revenue to reach $638.7 million, up from $353.3 million in 2010.

Among the top 10 suppliers of consumer and mobile MEMS, this represents the highest level of growth. In 2011, STMicroelectronics maintained its status as the top supplier with a 30 per cent share of the overall consumer and mobile MEMS market, up from 22 per cent in 2010.

''STMicroelectronics owes its success to early bets that have paid off. As the first company to fully believe in the consumer MEMS business even before the iPhone and Nintendo Wii game console arrived, STMicroelectronics had no difficulties ramping up and producing MEMS in mass volume when the market exploded starting in 2007. STMicroelectronics then invested heavily in the development of 3-axis gyroscopes, and these parts eventually found their way into the iPhone 4 and into the Move controller for the PlayStation game console from Sony Corp.,'' said Jeremie Bouchaud, director and senior principal analyst for MEMS & sensors at IHS.