+10% (!) expected in 2Q13

Backup tape cartridge sales amounted to $149.72 million in 1Q13 according to the report, Backup Tape Tracker.

LTO accounted for 92.5% of total with sales of $138.54 million. The media market is expected to grow to $164.63 million in the next quarter. Total LTO sales were slightly down at 5.3 million units in Q1. LTO-6 commenced its ramp in the quarter accounting for 4% of units and 13% of dollars. LTO-5 was off in the quarter. It accounted for 32% of unit sales and 36% of dollars. LTO-4 was down. It represented 41% of units and 32% of dollars. LTO-3 sales declined -4%. They accounted for 18% of volume and 14% of dollars. LTO-2 and LTO-1 were both down. Combined, they accounted for 5% of units and 4% of dollars. HP led the LTO market with a 30% share. Fuji was the second largest supplier and IBM was third. In Q2 LTO sales are expected to rise slightly. They will be supported by increasing volumes of LTO-6 and LTO-5.

The DDS/DAT cartridge volume was up 7% to 0.46 million units in Q4. DAT-72 accounted for 41% of unit sales and 45% of the value of the segment. DAT-160 accounted for 31% of the value of the segment and DAT-320 sold 3%. HP led the DDS/DAT market with a 70% share. Segment dollar sales amounted to $6.02 million.

DLT-S cartridge sales amounted to 0.03 million units. Quantum led the segment. It was followed by HP and Maxell. DLT-S dollar sales are expected to be off to $1.88 million in Q2. DLT-V sales were off at 0.02 million units. Their value was $0.77 million. DLTtape IV cartridges accounted for 51% of units. Quantum led the segment with a 58% share. Imation was second at 18%. Sales of DLT-V are expected to be lower in Q2.

AIT media supports its respective installed bases of drives. Total AIT cartridge volume in the quarter amounted to 0.02 million units. Sony was the sole source for the product.

Shipments of QIC cartridges in the quarter totaled 0.02 million units. Their value was $1.50 million. Imation dominated the segment with a market share of 97%.

The 8mm metal particle cartridge amounted to 0.01 million units worth $0.03 million. Imation led the segment with a 59% market share. Tandberg supplied 8mm metal evaporated cartridges for its VXA and Mammoth drives. Sales were 0.004 million units in the quarter.