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Introduction
PLUNKETT'S NANOTECHNOLOGY &
MEMS INDUSTRY ALMANAC, the first edition of our guide
to the nanotech and MEMs field, is designed as a general source
for researchers of all types.
For the purposes of this book, we define the nanotechnology and
MEMS industry to include companies engaged in pure research as
well as firms that manufacture commercialized products and applications.
The data and areas of interest covered are intentionally broad,
ranging from the history and the various aspects of the nanotech
and MEMs industry, to emerging technologies, to an in-depth look
at the 250 major firms (which we call “THE NANOTECH
250”) within the many segments that make up the
nanotech and MEMs industry.
This reference book is designed to be a general source for researchers.
It is especially intended to assist with market research, strategic
planning, employment searches, contact or prospect list creation
(be sure to see the export capabilities of the accompanying CD-ROM
that is available to book and eBook buyers) and financial research,
and as a data resource for executives and students of all types.
PLUNKETT'S NANOTECHNOLOGY & MEMS INDUSTRY ALMANAC
takes a rounded approach for the general reader. This book presents
a complete overview of the nanotech and MEMs field (see “How
To Use This Book”). For example, the developments in nanoscience
within optics, coatings, electronics and biotechnology are covered
in exacting detail.
THE NANOTECH 250 is our unique grouping of the
biggest, most successful corporations in all segments of the nanotech
and MEMs industry. Tens of thousands of pieces of information,
gathered from a wide variety of sources, have been researched
and are presented in a unique form that can be easily understood.
This section includes thorough indexes to THE NANOTECH 250, by
geography, industry, sales, brand names, subsidiary names and
many other topics. (See Chapter 4.)
Especially helpful is the way in which PLUNKETT'S NANOTECHNOLOGY
& MEMS INDUSTRY ALMANAC enables readers who have
no technical or financial background to readily compare the strategies,
research, financial records and growth plans of nanotech and MEMs
companies and major industry groups. You’ll see the mid-term
financial record of each firm, along with the impact of earnings,
sales and strategic plans on each company’s potential to
fuel growth, create new technologies and provide investment and
employment opportunities.
No other source provides this book’s easy-to-understand
comparisons of growth, expenditures, technologies, corporations,
research and many other items of great importance. The information
within is crucial to people of all types who may be studying this,
one of the most exciting ground-floor technology opportunities
in the world today.
By scanning the data groups and the unique indexes, you can find
the best information to fit your personal research needs. The
best major companies are profiled and then ranked using several
different groups of specific criteria. Which firms are the biggest
employers? Which companies earn the most profits? These things
and much more are easy to find.
In addition to individual company profiles, an analysis of nanotech
and MEMs technologies and trends is provided. This book’s
job is to help you sort through easy-to-understand summaries of
today’s technologies and trends in a quick and effective
manner.
Whatever your purpose for researching the nanotech and MEMs field,
you’ll find this book to be a valuable guide. Nonetheless,
as is true with all resources, this volume has limitations that
the reader should be aware of:
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Financial data and other corporate
information can change quickly. A book of this type can be
no more current than the data that was available as of the
time of editing. Consequently, the financial picture, management
and ownership of the firm(s) you are studying may have changed
since the date of this book. For example, this almanac includes
the most up-to-date sales figures and profits available to
the editors as early 2004. That means that we have typically
used corporate financial data as of late 2003.
-
Corporate mergers, acquisitions
and downsizing are occurring at a very rapid rate. Such events
may have created significant change, subsequent to the publishing
of this book, within a company you are studying.
-
Some of the companies in THE
NANOTECH 250 are so large in scope and in variety
of business endeavors conducted within a parent organization
that we have been unable to completely list all subsidiaries,
affiliations, divisions and activities within a firm’s
corporate structure.
-
This volume is intended to be
a general guide to a rapidly changing industry. That means
that researchers should look to this book for an overview
and, when conducting in-depth research, should contact the
specific corporations or industry associations in question
for the very latest changes and data. Where possible, we have
listed contact names, toll-free telephone numbers and World
Wide Web site addresses for the companies, government agencies
and industry associations involved so that the reader may
get further details without unnecessary delay.
-
Industry data and statistics
used in this book include the latest numbers available at
the time of printing, generally through the end of 2002 or
2003.
-
We have used exhaustive efforts
to locate and fairly present accurate and complete data. However,
when using this book or any other source for business and
industry information, the reader should use caution and due
diligence by conducting further research where it seems appropriate.
We wish you success in your endeavors, and we trust that your
experience with this book will be both satisfactory and productive.
Jack
W. Plunkett
Houston, Texas
May 2004
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