## Advantest's Lead Times Under Pressure Lead times for Advantest's automated test equipment (ATE) continue to be tight as the AI and memory markets expand. Strong demand in these sectors is putting pressure on Advantest's production capacity. The Japanese company is a key supplier of test equipment for the semiconductor industry. Its ATE systems are used to verify the performance and reliability of memory chips, processors, and other electronic components. The growth of the AI and memory markets is fueling demand for more advanced and complex chips, which require more sophisticated testing. This, in turn, increases the pressure on ATE suppliers like Advantest. ## General context The semiconductor industry is cyclical and subject to fluctuations in demand. However, the long-term growth of the artificial intelligence, cloud computing, automotive, and Internet of Things (IoT) markets should sustain continued demand for advanced chips and, consequently, ATE test systems.