Intel in 2011 captured the headlines with its major surge in growth. The company’s rise was spurred by soaring demand for its PC-oriented microprocessors, and for its NAND flash memory used in consumer and wireless products. Intel’s revenue also was boosted by its acquisition of Infineon’s wireless business unit. The company’s strong rise helped it to stave off the rising challenge mounted by No. 2 semiconductor supplier Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., which had been whittling away at Intel’s lead in recent years.
Intel Market Share, Revenues Increase
Intel's market share has reached its highest point in more than ten years, according to a new report by IHS iSuppli, which tracked 2011 worldwide revenue and market share for the top 25 semiconductor suppliers. Over the last five years Intel's share had stood between 11 and 13.9 percent. In 2011, it hit 15.6 percent. Revenues have also increased, by 20.6 percent. The only semiconductor supplier the company wasn't able to surpass was Qualcomm, which had a 41.6 percent revenue growth compared with 2010. The top five also included Samsung Electronics, Texas Instruments, Toshiba and Renesas Electronics Corporation. Another interesting fact revealed by IHS was that only half of the 302 chip suppliers surveyed managed to increase their revenue and reach growth. Dale Ford, head of electronics and semiconductor research for IHS said: