LTO Represents 90% of Total
Tape Cartridge Revenues - Q4, 2011
Backup tape cartridge sales amounted to $187.45 million
in the 4Q11, according to Back-Up Tape Tracker.
LTO accounted for 89.7% of total with
sales of $168.07 million.
The media market is expected to have sales of $173.55
million in the next quarter.
Total
LTO sales were up at
5.9 million units in 4Q11. LTO-5 volume grew 18% in the quarter. It accounted
for 21% of unit sales and 39% of dollars. LTO-4 shipments were up 4%. Its sales
represented 46% of units and 36% of dollars. LTO-3 sales were steady. They
accounted for 25% of volume and 18% of dollars. LTO-2 was also up. It accounted
for 7% of units and 7% of dollars. LTO-1 was off. It sold 1% of units and 1% of
dollars.
HP led the
LTO market with a 34% share. Fuji was
the second largest supplier and IBM was third. In 1Q12 LTO total volume is
expected to be slightly higher, supported by shipments of LTO-5 and LTO-4. Sales
of earlier generations are expected to decline.