Semiconductor equipment manufacturers secure supply contracts for 2028 in advance

According to a report by Korean Electronic News on November 3, major global semiconductor equipment companies such as Applied Materials, ASML, Lam Research, Tokyo Electron, and KLA have entered the final stages of equipment supply contracts for 2028, with some companies also beginning discussions on procurement orders for equipment available in 2029. Industry insiders say that there is a surge in demand centered around front-end processes, with a desire to quickly move equipment into fabs. Core equipment partners of companies like TSMC, Micron, and Intel are formulating supply strategies for 2029, and some Korean equipment companies that directly trade with these overseas manufacturers are also reviewing supply plans for two to three years ahead.

Discussions on wafer fab equipment supply contracts typically start 6 to 12 months before implementation, with delivery taking about 3 to 6 months after purchase orders are placed. Reports indicate that investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure continues, and semiconductor manufacturers are simultaneously advancing large-scale equipment investments, with equipment delivery times now more than doubled compared to usual, with some categories exceeding 2 years, and related contracts being pushed forward by 1 to 2 years compared to normal. ASML stated during its earnings announcement last month that it expects no interruptions in the supply of lithography equipment until 2028 and is also exploring plans to expand future capacity.

An executive from a global equipment company stated that discussing equipment supply three years out at this point is unusual, and combined with the current state of fab investments, this trend is expected to continue until 2030. Another industry insider mentioned that global front-end and back-end investments are proceeding in parallel, and the trend of signing equipment import contracts earlier than competitors may spread to the back-end sector, prompting Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix to take measures to secure core process equipment in advance. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are currently continuing to advance their fab investments.