Bookmark and Share

June 13 is Last Day to Save on Early Registration for MEMS Education Series

 

Insider’s Guide to Business Strategy for the MEMS Industry

As part of SEMICON West, MEMS Industry Group (MIG), the trade association representing the MEMS and microstructures industries, will hold The Insider’s Guide to Business Strategy for the MEMS Industry on July 13.

Register today at www.memseducationseries.com

This all-new course offered as part of MIG's MEMS Education Series will benefit those looking for in-depth knowledge on product development, marketing/positioning and overall business strategy within the MEMS Industry.

 

MEMS Market Data Supports Importance of Strategic Business Planning

Though MEMS automotive has been hit hard, additional MEMS devices are penetrating into consumer products faster than the economic crisis is slowing demand. According to market research firm iSuppli, by 2013 the consumer electronics/mobile phone area is expected to grow to 30% of the MEMS market ($2.5 billion), compared to 18% of the total MEMS market in 2008. Even in these tough economic times, demand for MEMS devices is rapidly creating new business opportunities for entrepreneurs as well as established companies. As a diverse industry spanning numerous markets, MEMS poses unique considerations for developing and executing profitable business models.

Yole Développement projects that even with the big automotive and inkjet markets down, other applications will generate enough growth to maintain a stable $6.9 billion market this year, before growth picks back up to push sales to close to $13 billion by 2012—still averaging out to a respectable 14% average annual growth for the five year period.

According to Yole, MEMS production infrastructure is undergoing two key changes: the transition from 6‘‘ to 8‘‘ wafer size for companies involved in high-volume MEMS applications and strong growth of MEMS foundry markets. This strong growth is stemming from both the fabless company model and the start of production outsourcing by major MEMS manufacturers. Clearly all these MEMS market statistics beg the question: how do you make strategic business decisions within a changing industry landscape?

 

Strategic Growth in MEMS

These thoughts were repeated at MIG‘s recent annual technical meeting, METRIC 2009, where industry experts echoed the importance of being strategic in your actions, preparing for the eventual upturn, and taking advantage of opportunities that don't usually exist in a normal economy. Attendees received help on how to keep innovating and providing value to customers, while working with smaller budgets and cutting costs strategically. Technical discussions focused on reducing development and manufacturing costs; design for manufacturability; improving yield; leveraging existing processes and materials; and increasing knowledge and
information-sharing. The upcoming MEMS Education Series short course will highlight the content and research from METRIC, including an industry-wide survey on MEMS‘ growth opportunities and the changing role in R&D spending.

 

Course Overview

The upcoming Insider‘s Guide short course will include in-depth interviews with industry luminaries across a broad spectrum of MEMS markets including automotive, consumer, bio/medical, industrial and military. The workbook will also include course-specific market analysis and data from Yole Développement and iSuppli. Space is limited so sign up early.

Instructors will provide in-depth analysis and guidance on strategic business topics including:

  • Product development, positioning and markets
  • MEMS research and development (especially marking the shift in priorities as a result of the economic downturn)
  • Business and operations and how they differ in the MEMS industry, including an overview of yield/price pressures
  • Financial decisions for the MEMS industry in challenging economic times

 

Who Should Attend?

This short course will benefit individuals and companies in or considering entering the MEMS industry, including:

  • Business development professionals
  • Marketing managers
  • Product managers
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Intrapreneurs
  • Venture capitalists
  • Students in engineering/related disciplines

 

Endorsements of MEMS Education Series

Paul Reynolds, PhD, Senior Associate, Weidlinger Associates, Inc

"The MEMS business course provided exactly the kind of information and advice I needed to make several important decisions as to my company's future business growth. I highly recommend it to any manager currently working in, or contemplating working in, a MEMS field."

Paul Werbaneth, VP, Marketing & Applications, Tegal Corporation

"The MEMS Education course, assembled by the MEMS Industry Group, and led by two highly experienced MEMS veterans, Alissa Fitzgerald and Jim Knutti, teaches, in less than one day, the lessons learned from several lifetimes of hard-core MEMS business experience (and, unlike in the real MEMS world, there's no risk of failure taking this class)."

 

For More Information

The course will take place on Monday, July 13 from 9am–3pm at San Francisco State University‘s Downtown Campus in the Westfield San Francisco Centre (835 Market Street, San Francisco, California)— walking distance from Moscone Center.

Course instructors are Dr. Jim Knutti and Dr. Alissa Fitzgerald.

Registration rates:

  • MIG Member rate: $450 ($380 before Jun. 13)
  • Non-member rate: $850 ($720 before Jun. 13)
  • Student rate: $150

Note: MIG is also offering a 50% bring-a-colleague rate for a limited time.

To register and learn more, please visit: www.memseducationseries.com