PRI Automation Appoints Richard Vatcher to Lead Software Division
BILLERICA, Mass., April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- PRI Automation, Inc. (Nasdaq: PRIA - news), a global leader in semiconductor factory automation systems, software, and services, today announced the appointment of Richard Vatcher as vice president and general manager of PRI's Software Division. Mr. Vatcher, the former chairman and CEO of the Raytheon Marine Company and a twenty-year veteran of the software industry, will report to Mitch Tyson, PRI's president and chief executive officer.
Mr. Vatcher brings over 20 years of experience in the software industry including 16 years with Computervision Corporation where he held a number of international management positions including vice president of software services. Mr. Vatcher joins PRI from Raytheon Marine, a leader in marine communications and navigation systems, where he was chairman and chief executive officer. He holds a degree in mechanical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
``Rick has proven leadership abilities and a depth of experience in running complex software organizations,'' said Mitch Tyson president and CEO of PRI Automation. ``Rick will lead our efforts to capitalize on the growing demand for integrated software solutions designed to meet the increasingly complex needs of semiconductor manufacturers. He will help us build a world-class software organization and I am very excited to have him join the team.''
``PRI has many best-in-class software products and services which customers value because of their rich functionality and reliability,'' stated Richard Vatcher. ``The needs of our customers continue to change as they move to 300mm manufacturing, learn to work with fewer suppliers who can add more value, and look for ways to improve their fab utilization through intelligent planning and scheduling software. My goal is to bring the different PRI software organizations together so that we may better meet these demands through leadership products and comprehensive service and support.''
About PRI Automation
PRI Automation, Inc., headquartered in Billerica, Massachusetts, is a leading global supplier of advanced factory automation systems, software, and services that optimize the productivity of semiconductor and precision electronics manufacturers as well as OEM process tool manufacturers. PRI is the only company to provide a tightly integrated and flexible hardware and software solution that optimizes the flow of products, data, materials and resources throughout the production chain. The company has thousands of systems installed at approximately one hundred locations throughout the world. For more information visit PRI online at www.pria.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This release includes forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements relating to the expected benefits of PRI Automation products and management's plans for future operations. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such risks and uncertainties include; (i) the manner in which the customer uses the products and integrates them with other third party components; (ii) the ability of the company to continue to successfully develop and market new products and product enhancements on a timely basis; (iii) the cyclicality of the semiconductor industry and the rapid technological change that characterizes the industry in which the Company competes; (iv) uncertainties affecting global markets and currencies, the effects of possible delays by semiconductor manufacturers in the adoption of 300 mm wafer manufacturing and other new technologies, (v) changes in our product sales mix; (vi) competitive factors, such as introduction of new products or technologies by our competitors, and pricing pressures; (vii) the possible impact of any mergers and acquisitions activity by the company and our ability to successfully integrate and operate any acquired businesses; (viii) business and economic conditions affecting the semiconductor manufacturing equipment industry generally; (ix) and other factors identified in our registration statement on Form S-3, file number 333-34584, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 12, 2000 and amended thereafter. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking information contained in this release. |
