History (1994): Quantum ≠1 in HDDs in 1993

In its annual rigid disk drive market report, Dataquest (San Jose, CA) estimates that Quantum leaped from third in 1992 to first in 1993 by increasing its market share 5% points.

Never before achieving a rank above third in the WW market, Quantum grasped 20.7% of the market in 1993 to climb into the market lead.

It became market leader by increasing its shipments from 6.75 million in 1992 to 10.65 million in 1993.

Seagate Technology held on ≠2 with 19.9% of the disk drive market in 1993, while Conner Peripherals dropped from ≠1 to ≠3. IBM’s and Western Digital’s good progress should also be noticed.

The whole market grew from 44.2 million units in 1992 to 51.5 million in 1993, the top 6 disk drive manufacturers now controlling more than 89% of the market.

Dataquest expects disk drive unit shipments to grow by 16.5% this year.

Despite the consistent growth in units, disk drive revenue dropped from $19.0 billion in1992 to $18.1 billion in 1993 a, result of large price reductions.

“The disk drive industry is entering into a period of partnership and consolidation because of a rapid increase in competition brought on by fast recording density gains, short product life cycles, and continuing price reductions,” said Phil Devin, VP and chief analyst of storage technologies. “Drive makers with strong cash positions and those who own considerable IP will have the distinct advantage as the field of participants narrows to meet the competitive pressures of the 1990’s.”