ASM International N.V. (Nasdaq:ASMI) (Amsterdam:ASM) and its subsidiary, ASM Europe, today announced that Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (Nasdaq:TSEM) had ordered multiple A400 vertical furnace systems from ASM for its new 0.18 um Fab 2 foundry. Delivery of the systems has started and will continue during the next few quarters.
ASM said the order was worth some 10 million euros ($9.8 million). "We expect the bulk of the delivery and turnover in the second half, near the end of the year," ASM International chief financial officer Robert de Bakker told Reuters.
"Fab 2 represents an opportunity for both Tower and our customers to benefit from the next industry upturn because it significantly increases our capability and capacity for 0.18 um and below process technologies," said Ron Niv, Tower's Fab 2 Manager. "Tower is focused on best-in-class solutions for its Fab 2 and the ASM's A400 dual-reactor furnace was chosen for its high productivity, short cycle time, high throughput per footprint and consequent low cost of ownership. Additionally, the ASM team's knowledge and expertise will help us with quick installation of the A400, enabling us to maintain our aggressive, customer-focused timetable of initiating Fab 2 volume production by the end of this year."
ASM has been building and selling furnaces for oxidation, diffusion and LPCVD processes since 1968. The Advance 400 Series is a comprehensive range of batch furnaces, which the company says is optimized to the needs of current technologies and ready for the future 0.1 um and beyond.
Dr. Albert Hasper, Worldwide Product Manager Vertical Furnace at ASM, said: "Two years ago, Tower selected us as the best supplier of the year. We are very pleased that Tower has again expressed its confidence in ASM by selecting our A400 for its new foundry fab."
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on September 19, 2002