Bosch rides Apple to MEMS dominance

Two market research firms, IHS and Yole Développement, issued MEMS reports, both naming Robert Bosch GmbH as the undisputed No. 1 in the market.

Bosch grew its MEMS revenue by 20 percent in 2014, with sales revenues totaling $1.2 billion, according to Yole. Yole now calls Bosch a future “MEMS titan,” noting a widening gap between Bosch and STMicroelectronics. The disparity between the two companies now stands at more than $400 million.

The force separating winners from losers in the MEMS market today is Apple. “Apple dictates the ranking of top 10 MEMS manufacturers in 2014,” IHS observed. Bosch took leadership in 2013 thanks to design wins in the Apple iPhone 5s and iPad with its accelerometer. Apple boosted Bosch’s MEMS revenue in 2014 again as Bosch is the sole supplier of pressure sensors added to the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, IHS explained.

Beyond iPhone, contributing to Bosch’s rise to “titan” status is its history. Eric Mounier, senior technology & market analyst, MEMS Devices and technologies, Yole Développement, told us, “Bosch first consolidated its MEMS auto business to lower cost, and improved technologies such as packaging. Then, they moved to consumer with well-established MEMS technology.” He added, “Having both markets – auto and consumer – allows Bosch to optimize a fab infrastructure.”

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