Chip equipment maker market jumped 50%

Global chip making equipment sales reached $3.99 billion in June. The jump of 50% was the highest increase year on year since 21 months back. The demand is also expected to grow in the third quarter of 2006, the report said. According to EETimes June sales were as follows: in Japan were $789.3 million, up 26.8 percent; North America $852.4, up 100.7 percent; Europe $371.2 million, up 46.6 percent, S. Korea $445.3, down 3.5 percent; Taiwan $767.7 million, up 46.6 percent ; China 443.6 million, up 353.8 percent; Others $317.5 million, up 15.5 percent; Overall $3,987 million up 50.0 percent.