Industry Analysis Technology Control Staff, Base Technology Group, Technology Department Satoko Nakagawa
After previously having been in charge of next-generation crystal development and evaluation technology development, I am currently focusing on surveying and analysis of market trends and technology trends.
The silicon wafer industry is an extremely appealing industry that grows together with the evolution of the world.
Although I am still learning, I would like to share my thoughts on the position of wafer manufacturers in the industry, the significance of conducting market research as a technology department, and the appeal of the silicon wafer industry.
What is surveying and analysis of the market environment and technology trends surrounding silicon wafers?
My main activity is surveying and analysis of the market environment and technology trends surrounding the silicon wafers manufactured and sold by GlobalWafers Japan (GWJ). I am also in charge of some external academic activities that must be performed by GWJ.
As part of surveying and analysis of the market environment, review and discussion of wafer sales are conducted in marketing activities by the Sales Department. As a member of the Technology Department, my ultimate goal is to create an original GWJ technology roadmap required for development of wafer technology. Of course, in addition to cooperation among engineers, dialogue with customers is an important element of creating a roadmap. I recognize that the roadmap must not be self-satisfying for members of GWJ. This is because we are no longer in a “product-out” era in which good products are sure to sell. Instead, we are in an era where the world is changing at an unprecedented speed and the pace of technological evolution is faster than ever before.
Consequently, it is easy to see how a self-satisfying and complacent attitude would cause use to lag in technological development and fall into an irreversible decline.
Therefore, in order to present what the world needs in a timely manner, I believe that it is essential to have a market-in technology roadmap created based on an understanding of the company's strengths, positioning, and characteristics. I conducts such activities as a member of GWJ.
Although I said it in a boastful way, I personally still have little experience, and it is not within the scope of what we can investigate on our own. We are at the stage where we are requesting interviews with people from various affiliations and positions to have the opportunity to discuss, considering and analyzing results from multiple perspectives, and trying to draw a map that we need. Because of this kind of work content, if anything, it is a work content that has more conversations with people outside the company than with internal members.
Position of silicon wafers in industry and impact of the semiconductor industry on the world
Semiconductor devices are manufactured using silicon wafers. Electronic equipment containing semiconductor devices are used in a variety of ways throughout the world to make society more convenient and livable, which in turn creates social trends. Due to this position, silicon wafers have strong ties to society and are an indispensable material for shaping society. Furthermore, Japan and other countries around the world have positioned the semiconductor industry as important for their development. Government strategies and trends in each country are having an increasingly greater impact on semiconductors. GWJ recognizes that our role and importance is now at a higher level than ever before.
The semiconductor market is expected to continue growing as the world evolves. I believe that the silicon wafer industry will grow and evolve along with the expansion of the semiconductor market. Although demand for compound semiconductors other than silicon wafers will also increase, we expect such semiconductors to be used differently depending on the application. This means that silicon wafers will continue to serve as the main semiconductor substrate.
Impact of market trends on GlobalWafers Japan and significance of surveying market and technology trends
Any type of political, economic, social, or technological change will cause market trends to fluctuate, so I believe that GWJ’s business will be impacted in some way, although the scope of that impact is uncertain. In addition to impact resulting from trends at device makers who are direct customers of GWJ, we could also be impacted through connections in the supply chain. Furthermore, even if there were no changes in the supply chain, GWJ would be affected if there were impact on any element of the value chain. Such impact would vary widely in terms of scope, timing, and duration. The purpose of surveying market and technology trends is to identify these various changes as quickly as possible. As I mentioned earlier, my ultimate goal is to create a technology roadmap for GWJ. A major premise of this roadmap is the ability to identify and assess market trends with speed and accuracy.
Technological development comes in various scales. GWJ recognizes that carefully shaping such development often takes several years. Accordingly, it is sometimes necessary to make market forecasts with a slightly longer perspective than normal sales plans. Precisely because a long-term perspective is necessary, it is important to recognize small changes while ascertaining big waves in the market. Furthermore, it is necessary to share what we identify with relevant parties and respond flexibly.
Needless to say, ascertaining changes in the market is extremely difficult, and we still have a lot of work to do. In order to objectively consider matters from as many perspectives as possible, I try to discuss matters with as many people as possible. I often have realizations even during conservations with people who at first appear completely unrelated to the market. In this way, I feel that I am supported by many people.
Aim of GlobalWafers Japan in response to industry and market trends
GWJ strives to continue to exist as a company excitement for the future of everyone, including ourselves. By doing so, we can confidently convey our message of “Creating the future from here.”
From the perspective of industry analysis, the semiconductor market is expected to continually grow in the future, even if we are experiencing some fluctuations at the present time. Personally, I agree with this outlook. In order to respond to market growth, both the number of wafers and technological innovation are very important factors. I believe that the ideal company is one that can deliver wafers at the quality and timing required by customers, while also (if possible) providing some extra value unavailable from any other company can offer. To prepare for serving as such a company, we are surveying market trends and technology trends and cooperating engineers who are the future leaders of GWJ to create a technology roadmap for guiding a company in the future. I hope that my work will be of great use in technology development.
A few years ago, when I was still relatively young, I was thinking about what my generation would need to build our company after the current group of executives and managers had retired (In the moment, I had phrased the question as “What must my generation do to enjoy success in 2030 and 2040?”), and I recognized that surveying of market and technological trends is an essential activity. At that time, in order to support the efforts of young employees, acquaintances from various manufacturers and positions willingly responded to my requests for discussion. I am still in contact with those interviewees, and they have become very valuable personal connections. Recently, I heard a young employee at GWJ say that “I feel nourished by every experience and conversation that I have.” I believe that this statement also applies to my activities. Indeed, the conversations which I have had with my supporters are nourishment for my current activities. I will always remain grateful to those who have helped me as I push forward both as a manufacturer and as an individual.
*Departments and titles current as of the time of the interview