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Analog devices has undoubtedly created a strong market in analog IC domain. In some applications they just dont have any competition.
Kudos to Analog Devices for closing out 2010 with not only high revenue growth but also higher overall gross profit. After the entire Semiconductor market saw a huge decline in 2008 and early 2009, according to Forward Concepts, the market recovered nicely in 2010 with an estimated growth of over 30%. What Analog Devices has that separates it from its competition is that they figured out a long time ago how to sustain high profit margins and not to cut into their profits in exchange for increased revenue. They have been very methodical in their strategy and often re-organize internally to align themselves strategically with the everchanging marketplace.
Analog devices are playing a major role in semi conductor industry. When ever and who ever thinks about semiconductors, the first name comes to their mind is Analog devices and more over they are trying to keep up there name up. When we are looking to the history of Analog devices, we can see that they had built up this role by gradual evolution process. That means starting from a single chip or semi conductor piece they expand the wings globally, with variety of products. They are also making sure about their market presence by sponsering different events, seminars, workshop etc. They had build up the trust that, there products are trustable and reliable. That’s why they have gone much further than the competitors. Hope they will continue the journey well in coming years also.
Analog has managed to sustain sales propreitary products without encountering competition in those markets. Its those products that have identified them (and continue to do so) as a leader in the analog market.
While Analog Devices has some unique products there is a portion of it, which directly competes with Linear Technology, TI and some others. From a business perspective any other company can do the same what Analog Devices is doing. Buzzwords “not panic”, “align strategically” and “keep the cost down” are standard business practices. What are the subtle differences that make them better than others?
I find it strange with so much emphasis on 'success' of ADI and it leaving its competitors behind. Well, considering it operates in the same market as some companies as TI, I dont really consider their performance a lot better against some of these guys. Of course, ADI has done well but do they have the biggest share in Analog market yet? I dont think so.
You asked: What's unique about Analog Devices? Analog Devices isn't unique but it is different among its analog peers. In future columns, I will expand further on how Linear Technology and TI, the two companies you mentioned, are also distinguishing themselves. It is a highly competitive market and “standing still” even when performing well is not a recipe for continued success. Each of these companies is different in its own ways.
Right now, though, I will rate ADI at the top of the pack with TI and Linear not too far behind. In terms of year over year fiscal sales growth, ADI is ahead at 37 percent versus 34 percent for TI and 21 percent for Linear. Fiscal 2008 was a strong year for all these companies but only ADI has in its just-ended fiscal year exceeded 2008 level; estimates for TI indicate it will be close to or slightly exceed 2008 numbers in 2010. In 2011, though, TI will certainly set new sales records.
Analog Devices in the last year did not miss a beat when demand soared, its lead time did not stretch out much and the company embarked upon a reorganization at the top of its game three years ago. It also shifted emphatically into higher value products. These are moves one should applaud especially as they positioned the company for margin expansion (and protection) in a fast-commoditizing market.
TI had some glitches during the same period but the company has recovered, its lead times are shrinking and it has gone on a fab-expansion strategy that is expected to help it maintain a leading role in the market. TI's lead times problem is fading and the company, strategically, has acquired fab equipment at bargain prices.
Linear Technology has a distinct supply chain strategy, one it used effectively in the last market upheaval, to manage supplier demand without running out of stock.
Investors love the three companies and I think they'll be loving them even more in the months ahead.
Aren't most analog devices phased out by now? With the proliferation of digital mediums in almost all industries, is analog truly still a factor anymore? If so, for what industries?
Analog chips are needed to convert digital signal into real world analog and visa versa. The more products need to interact directly with the user, the more analog products are needed.
We always need to find a way to interface the analog world. But those analog circuits can be designed with purely digital circuits. Then we process the analog signals in discrete time domain to take advantage of the robustness of digital circuits. ADI is really good in terms of doing that.
eemom,
THanks for the breakdown. I made the mistake of thinking 'end product' and not about the process. Analog will always be around for the signal processing, etc (the gruntwork).
Analog remains on the board. There are tens of analog chips for every cental processing chip on any board! However, as you mention more and more analog peripherals are now being added on the same silicon as the processors and hence from the outside it might seem that we are doing away with the analog but nothing could be further from the truth.