Ultratech Stepper Receives First Order for Its XLS 7500 i-Line Stepper From Taiwan-Based Surface Acoustic Wave Device Manufacturer
Source: Ultratech Stepper
Ultratech Stepper (San Jose, CA), a supplier of photolithography systems has received an order from Branchy Technology Co., headquartered in Tao Yuan Hsien in Taiwan, for its XLS 7500 i-line stepper. This first order for this product in Taiwan the tool will be used in the manufacture of Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) and MEMS devices, and will be shipped after completion of Branchy s new fab, slated for Q1 2001.
"Ultratech s XLS 7500 stepper met all of our critical requirements. This system will enable us to continue manufacturing competitive, low-cost SAW and MEMS devices, due to low capitalization costs of the i-line lithographic tooling," stated Ten-Hsing Jaw, president, Branchy Technology Co. "A significant deciding factor was the production-proven performance of Ultratech s XLS stepper, which can achieve the required lithography steps with a resolution of 0.50 microns. The low cost of ownership and Ultratech s ability to meet our delivery schedule were especially appealing to our needs," Jaw added.
Commenting on the order, Ultratech s Chairman and CEO, Arthur W. Zafiropoulo, said, "We have identified this region as a high-growth market for SAW devices, as well as MEMS and GaAs, for which our steppers are especially suited due to their low cost of ownership and reliability. We are pleased to have won the competitive bid for supplying Branchy s new SAW and MEMS fab, and look forward to a long-lasting relationship."
This order signifies a renewed interest for cost-effective SAW and MEMS manufacturing lithography solutions in the Asia Pacific regions-especially Taiwan and China. According to the Taiwan Semiconductor Industry Association, Taiwan chipmakers plan to spend more than $67 billion in the next 10 years. According to the July 2000 "China Equipment Market" newsletter, published by International Marketing Consultants and distributed by SEMI, more than 10 wafer fabs are scheduled to be constructed in China between now and 2004.
Ultratech s family of XLS steppers perform application-specific lithography for communications, power IC, logic and micromachining applications, as well as some automotive applications, all at a low cost of ownership. The open architecture platform of the XLS steppers provides excellent flexibility and reliability-key advantages in high-volume production environments. These mix-and-match tools feature a compact footprint, an optical focus and leveling system, and rapid hands-free autocalibration for focus, exposure and overlay, which enhances productivity by eliminating the need for send-ahead wafers.
About Branchy Founded in 1989, Branchy Technology Company is a high-vacuum system and semiconductor processing equipment designer and manufacturer headquartered in Tao Yuan Hsien, Taiwan. Branchy designs, engineers and maintains vacuum and process technology solutions for the PE-CVD, CU-CVD, Photo-CVD, MOCVD and CBE markets. More information on the company can be found at http://www.bcv.com.tw/.
About Ultratech Founded in 1979, Ultratech Stepper, Inc. designs, manufactures and markets photolithography equipment used worldwide in the fabrication of integrated circuits, microsystems devices and thin film heads for disk drives. The company produces products that are designed to substantially reduce the cost of ownership for manufacturers in the electronics industry. The company s home page on the World Wide Web is located at http://www.ultratech.com/.
Contact: Bruce R. Wright, Senior Vice President & CFO or Laura Rebouche, Vice President of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications, lrebouche@corp.ultratech.com, both of Ultratech Stepper, Inc., Tel: 408-321-8835 Fax: 408-577-3379 Or Dori Jones, Account Director of MCA, Tel: 650-968-8900 Fax: 650-968-8990 djones@mcapr.com, for Ultratech Stepper, Inc.
Bruce R. Wright, Senior Vice President & CFO
or Laura Rebouche, Vice President of Investor Relations and Corporate
Communications, lrebouche@corp.ultratech.com, both of Ultratech Stepper,
Inc.,
Tel: 408-321-8835
Fax: 408-577-3379
Or
Dori Jones, Account Director of MCA,
Tel: 650-968-8900
Fax: 650-968-8990
djones@mcapr.com, for Ultratech Stepper, Inc.
E-mail: djones@mcapr.com
Web site: http://www.ultratech.com/
