The semiconductor industry is the backbone of modern technology, driving innovation across various sectors. Let’s dive into the stories of four companies that have shown remarkable growth over the past decade.
The Acquisition Maestro – Hock Tan, CEO of Broadcom
Hock Tan has been at the helm of Broadcom since 2016, steering the company through a series of strategic acquisitions that have transformed it into a diversified technology powerhouse. Broadcom’s market cap skyrocketed from $32 billion to $818 billion in the last decade, with revenue growing tenfold. His vision extended Broadcom’s portfolio beyond semiconductors into software, with key acquisitions such as Brocade Communications Systems (2017, $5.5B) for networking, CA Technologies (2018, $18.9B) for infrastructure software, Symantec’s enterprise security business (2019, $10.7B) for cybersecurity, and VMware (2023, $69B) for virtualization and cloud computing.
The Lithography Pioneer – ASML, CEO Christophe Fouquet
ASML, a name synonymous with cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing, has seen extraordinary growth under the leadership of Peter Wennink and now Christophe Fouquet. ASML’s extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines are critical for producing the world’s most advanced chips, driving innovation in consumer electronics, automotive, and many other markets. Over the past decade, ASML’s market cap has surged 11 times, from $37 billion to $421 billion.
The Wireless Trailblazer – Cristiano Amon, CEO Qualcomm
Cristiano Amon, Qualcomm’s CEO since 2020, is steering the fabless company through the 5G revolution and beyond. Building on Qualcomm’s wireless expertise, Amon is expanding into new markets like automotive and IoT. Qualcomm nearly doubled its market cap in the last decade to $231B. With a business model that combines advanced chipset design and a robust licensing strategy, Qualcomm capitalizes on its extensive patent portfolio to drive revenue and maintain its leadership in the wireless industry.
The Manufacturing Innovator – Gary Dickerson, CEO Applied Materials
Gary Dickerson has led Applied Materials for a decade, driving advancements in semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Under his guidance, the company’s market cap grew eightfold to $208B. Dickerson’s focus on materials engineering solutions has positioned Applied Materials at the forefront of enabling Moore’s Law. Applied Materials provides semiconductor manufacturing equipment, including etching and deposition tools and display manufacturing equipment.
Credit: Jeffrey Cooper & Perplexity.ai