SST and Vanguard International Announce Deep Sub-Micron Foundry Agreement; SST Accelerates Expansion into High Density Flash Memory Market
SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 16, 2001--SST (Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.) (Nasdaq:SSTI) and Vanguard (Vanguard International Semiconductor Corporation) today announced that the two companies have entered into an agreement whereby Vanguard will serve as a foundry for SST's 0.18 micron and 0.13 micron flash memory products based on the company's advanced self-aligned SuperFlash(R) memory technology. Vanguard, which last year announced its transformation from a DRAM product company to a semiconductor memory foundry, will manufacture SST's flash memory chips at its facilities in Hsin Chu, Taiwan. Initial wafer production is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2001 with volume production commencing in early 2002.
"This relationship allows SST to secure additional deep sub-micron capacity which is strategically important for us as we expand into higher density flash markets," said Bing Yeh, president and CEO of SST. "By utilizing our self-aligned SuperFlash cell, we are on a very aggressive migration path to cutting-edge process geometries of 0.18 micron and below. Vanguard's new focus as a memory foundry and the company's success in implementing an advanced technology roadmap compliments SST's goal of continuously acquiring leading-edge wafer capacity for our projected growth."
"Attracting SST's business is of strategic importance to us," said Paul Chien, president of Vanguard. "SST is a highly successful flash memory company whose growth prospects demand a high-volume, sustainable supply of wafers. Our new vision is in complete synergy with SST's requirements and we anticipate a successful, long term relationship."
SST's self-aligned SuperFlash cell, announced in May 2000, is the industry's first split-gate architecture flash memory cell to offer self-alignment. Traditional split-gate flash memory cells require built-in tolerances to align different layers of the memory cell, thereby resulting in a larger flash memory cell size and higher manufacturing cost. With SST's self-aligned process architecture, the need for built-in tolerances is eliminated, leading to a 40 percent reduction in the size of the SuperFlash cell.
About SuperFlash Technology
SST's SuperFlash technology is a NOR type, split-gate cell architecture which uses a reliable thick-oxide process with fewer manufacturing steps resulting in a low-cost, nonvolatile memory solution with excellent data retention and higher reliability. The split-gate NOR SuperFlash architecture facilitates a simple and flexible design suitable for high performance, high reliability, small or medium sector size, in- or off-system programming and a variety of densities, all in a single CMOS-compatible technology.
About Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.
Headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, SST designs, manufactures and markets a diversified range of nonvolatile memory solutions, based on proprietary, patented SuperFlash technology, for high volume applications in the digital consumer, networking, wireless communications and Internet computing markets. SST's product families include high functionality flash memory components, flash mass storage products and 8-bit microcontrollers with on-chip flash memory. SST also offers its SuperFlash technology for embedded applications through its world-class manufacturing partners and technology licensees IBM, National Semiconductor, Motorola, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., SANYO Electric Co., Ltd., Seiko Epson Corp. and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (TSMC). TSMC offers SuperFlash under its trademark Emb-FLASH. Further information on SST can be found on the company's Web site at ssti.com.
About Vanguard International Semiconductor Corporation
Vanguard International Semiconductor is an industry leader in providing high quality DRAM products. In 2000, Vanguard added an IC foundry to its business. Vanguard is committed to focusing on advanced memory products and foundry services such as DRAM, flash, low-power SRAM and other ASIC products. Currently, Vanguard has a 200 mm fab with a total capacity of 40,000 8" wafers per month. Vanguard recently announced its new 300 mm fab, fab 2, which will be in production in 2003. Vanguard was founded in December 1994 and is headquartered in Hsin Chu, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Forward-Looking Statements
Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements regarding flash memory market conditions, the company's future financial performance, the performance of new products and the company's ability to bring new products to market that involve risks and uncertainties. These risks may include timely development, acceptance and pricing of new products, the terms and conditions associated with licensees' royalty payments, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and general economic conditions as they affect the company's customers, as well as other risks detailed from time to time in the company's SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 and reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2000, June 30, 2000 and September 30, 2000.
For more information about SST and the company's comprehensive list of product offerings, please call 1-888/SST-CHIP. Information can also be requested via email to sfoster@ssti.com or through SST's website at ssti.com. SST is located at 1171 Sonora Court, Sunnyvale, Calif.; telephone: 408/735-9110; fax: 408/735-9036. |
