Where Industry and Security Intersect
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Washington -- Strong domestic
demand for optoelectronics products has allowed manufacturers to shift production
from defense goods to commercial items to meet that demand according to a
U.S. Department of Commerce study
released today. Critical Technology Assessment of the U.S. Optoelectronics
Industry also points to promising growth in Asian markets.
Optoelectronic products include lasers, displays for small electronic devices
like cellular phones and pagers, some components for lighting devices and
digital cameras, and a variety of other goods.
The U.S. optoelectronic industry appears to be maintaining its technological
leadership and believes that it will continue to do so in the years ahead.
Overall, most of the companies surveyed for the study were optimistic about
their long-term competitiveness. More than a third expect even better results
in the future. Employment in the industry continues to grow annually by about
least 3 percent, although employers are finding it increasingly difficult
to hire enough workers with sufficient technical training. Plant expansion
increased 44 percent in 1996-97 and 83 percent in 1997-98, due largely to
an array of new products now reaching the marketplace.
As part of its responsibility to ensure the U.S. maintains a strong defense
industrial base, the Commerce Department worked with industry and other government
agencies to evaluate the industry's long-term health and competitiveness,
growth trends, and emerging markets. Data was obtained by direct survey of
many U.S. component and equipment manufacturers, distributors, and resellers
involved in the optoelectronics industry between October 1997 and April 1998.
One potential concern is that 63 percent of the companies surveyed rely on
at least one foreign-made component or piece of equipment to manufacture their
end product. Numerous respondents indicated dependency on foreign materials,
such as optical glass, where there is not a readily available domestic source.
The lower cost of many foreign components is a strong driving force as the
U.S. industry strives to remain competitive.
To receive the executive summary of the study by fax, please call 202-482-5953
or fax your request to 202-482-3195. The executive summary and the press release
are also posted on the BXA website at www.bxa.doc.gov. Bound copies of the
report are available from BXA's Office of Congressional and Public Affairs
at 202-482-2721.
In April of 2002 the Bureau of Export Administration (BXA) changed its name to the Bureau of Industry and Security(BIS). For historical purposes we have not changed the references to BXA in the legacy documents found in the Archived Press and Public Information.