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"The electronics industry is
built on a foundation of high-tech manufacturing technology." |
A. The Electronics Industry "Food Chain"
Electronics is the fastest growing segment of the U.S. economy. Total
industry employment grew by 92,800 in 1996. The fastest growing segment was
semiconductors, which increased by 18% for a total of 40,000 new jobs. Since 1987 this
industry has expanded at a compound annual growth rate of 9.3%, more than triple that of
the gross domestic product. In 1997, the electronics manufacturing industry in California
was supported by more than 300,000 personnel, not including workers belonging to
peripheral industries.
The electronics industry is built on a foundation of high-tech
manufacturing technology. This represents a food chain of products as illustrated in
Figure 1. At the bottom of the food chain is the Semiconductor Equipment and Materials
Suppliers. This industry provides the machines, materials and know-how needed to fabricate
semiconductor devices, storage disks, and other electronic components. These, in turn,
enable the production of a vast array of consumer products.
Figure 1. Electronics Industry
"Food Chain"
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