Uniroyal Technology Corporation Epi Facility Expanded
Source: Uniroyal Technology
New Reactors Added
July 11, 2001
Sarasota, FL. In concert with its aggressive plan for rapid capacity expansion, Uniroyal Technology Corporation (Nasdaq/NMS: UTCI) today announced completion of the epitaxial facility buildout at its Uniroyal Optoelectronics (UOE) facility in Tampa, Florida. Uniroyal Optoelectronics manufactures high brightness light emitting diodes (HB-LEDs).
In November 2000, construction began on the remaining 33,000 sq.ft. of the 77,000 sq.ft. state-of-the-art facility. Two key components of the expansion are the epitaxial area and the buildout of the research and development facility. Construction of the epitaxial facility is complete and the R & D facility is in the final stages of construction.
Uniroyal Optoelectronics also received three new MOCVD reactors for the manufacture of blue and green HB-LEDs, one of which is installed and is currently in the final phase of materials testing. The two additional reactors are being installed. One reactor is designated for R & D efforts while the others will increase the number of reactors for the manufacture of high brightness blue and green LEDs to six.
"This expansion puts all the necessary components in place to facilitate the addition of MOCVD reactors as we move forward with our plan for increased capacity," said Robert L. Soran, President and Chief Operating Officer of Uniroyal Technology Corporation. "The exceptional brightness levels for our current products have been achieved in a very short period of time, less than two years since our facility began production. The addition of the R & D facility allows our premier group of LED scientists to further accelerate product improvements and the development of new products. Uniroyal Technology is committed to excel in this industry and we have moved one step closer to that goal," said Mr. Soran.
According to Strategies Unlimited, a market research firm in Mountain View, California, the HB-LED market grew 54% to $1.2 billion in 2000 and is expected to triple by 2005. Demand for higher brightness LED products for full color signage, automotive applications, and traffic signals continues to show strong growth.
Uniroyal Technology s Compound Semiconductors & Optoelectronics business segment includes Uniroyal Optoelectronics, Sterling Semiconductor, Inc., and NorLux Corp. Uniroyal Optoelectronics manufactures high brightness light emitting diodes (HB-LEDs), a rapidly growing market with applications such as traffic signals, indoor/outdoor signage and automotive applications. Brand names include POWER-Ga(i)NJ and POWER-BR(ite)J. Sterling Semiconductor is a leading producer of silicon carbide (SiC) substrates, epitaxial thin films on SiC substrates and is developing SiC devices for wireless communications, industrial process control, and power amplification. NorLux Corp. specializes in the design and manufacture of custom lighting solutions utilizing light emitting diodes (LEDs). Well-known brand names in Uniroyal s Coated Fabrics and Specialty Adhesives segments include NAUGAHYDE® and NAUGASOFT® in coated fabrics and, SILAPRENE®, HYDRA FAST-EN® and GUNTHER ULTRA/BOND® in adhesives. The Company s common stock and warrants trade on the Nasdaq/NMS under the symbols UTCI and UTCIW, respectively.
Statements made herein that are forward-looking in nature within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those related to business conditions and the financial strength of the various markets served by the Company, the level of spending for such products and the ability of the Company to successfully manufacture and market its products.
Contact: George J. Zulanas of Uniroyal Tel: 941-361-2220 or Mark N. Tyler of TT Communications Tel: 212-962-3690
George J. Zulanas of Uniroyal
Tel: 941-361-2220
or
Mark N. Tyler of TT Communications
Tel: 212-962-3690
