Lam's Korean Manufacturing Facility Ships First ETCH Systems
March 5, 1996--Lam Research Corporation ( NASDAQ:LRCX),
the world's leading supplier of etch equipment used to manufacture semiconductor chips, today
announced that its new manufacturing facility in CheonAn, Korea has shipped its first etch systems to
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. of Korea.
Four of Lam's Advanced Capability Rainbow 4520 oxide etch systems, the first systems to be
manufactured at the new facility since its opening in November, will be installed in Samsung's 8-inch
fab line #7 in Kiheung, Korea. The systems, which were part of a $34 million order placed by Samsung
in Q2 of fiscal 1996, will be used for volume production of 64Mbit dynamic random access memory
(DRAM) devices with 0.35-micron design rules.
According to Roger D. Emerick, Lam's chief executive officer, the facility is part of Lam's global
expansion effort to boost its direct presence in key semiconductor manufacturing regions within Asia
Pacific. "Lam's new facility will allow us to better meet our production ramp targets for upcoming
quarters, as well as enable us to offer our Asia/Pacific customers enhanced post-sale service and
support. With the Korean manufacturing facility in full operation, we can increase our manufacturing
capacity and reduce lead times to support the rise in orders from leading chipmakers in this region,"
said Emerick.
The facility, which is Lam's first offshore manufacturing site, was designed to support the escalating
demand among Korean chipmakers for Lam's etch systems.
While Lam's line of Rainbow etch systems will initially be manufactured at the facility, production will
eventually include Lam's Transformer Coupled Plasma (TCP) etch systems as well. In addition to its
manufacturing capabilities and 5,300 square foot Class 100 cleanroom, the facility houses sales, service,
support, and corporate/administrative offices as well as a customer training center. |
