87% of WW Tape Market for LTO in 1Q11

Backup tape cartridge sales amounted to $220.07 MM in the 1Q11, according to Backup Tape Tracker Quarterly Report ($2,750) from Santa Clara Consulting Group.

LTO accounted for 87.3% of total with sales of $192.06 MM.

The media market is expected to have sales of $214.96 MM in the next quarter.

Total LTO sales rose to 6.8 MM units in Q1 with the growth LTO-5 and continuing strength of LTO-4. LTO-5 accounted for 11% of unit sales and 26% of dollars. LTO-4 was up slightly, representing 46% of units and 39% of dollars. LTO-3 was up 10% off a smaller base. It accounted for 31% of volume and 25% of dollars. LTO-1 and LTO-2 were also up. LTO-2 accounted for 11% of units and 10% of dollars. LTO-1 sold 1% of units and 1% of dollars. HP led the LTO market with a 35% share. Fuji was the second largest supplier and IBM was third. In Q2 LTO volume is expected to be supported by LTO-5 and LTO-4 but the total will be slightly down as sales of earlier generations decline.

The DDS/DAT cartridge volume increased to .9 MM units in Q1. DAT-72 accounted for 41% of unit sales and 44% of the value of the segment. DAT-160 accounted for 22% of the value of the segment and DAT-320 held 6%. HP led the DDS/DAT market with a 68% share. Segment dollar sales amounted to $10.53 MM.

DLT-S cartridge sales amounted to .1 MM units. HP led the segment. It was followed by Quantum and Fuji. DLT-S dollar sales are expected to be off to $6.86 MM in the Q2.

DLT-V sales were marginally up at .1 MM units. Their value was $3.19 MM. HP led the segment with a 29% share. Quantum was second at 28%. DLTtape IV cartridges accounted for 45% of units. Sales of DLT-V are expected to be down -14% in Q2.

AIT media supports its respective installed bases of drives. Total AIT cartridge volume in the quarter amounted to .1 MM units. Sony had a 95% share in the segment.

Shipments of QIC cartridges in the quarter totaled .03 MM units. Their value was $2.26 MM. Imation dominated the segment with a market share of 92%.

The 8mm metal particle cartridge amounted to .01 MM units worth $0.06 MM. Sony led the segment with a 59% market share. Tandberg supplied 8mm metal evaporated cartridges for its VXA and Mammoth drives. Sales were .03 MM units in the quarter.