Brooks Automation, Inc. and Unaxis Semiconductors Sign Multi-year Partnership Agreement
CHELMSFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 10, 2002--Brooks Automation, Inc. (NASDAQ: BRKS - news), a leading supplier of tool and factory hardware and software automation solutions for the global semiconductor industry, and Unaxis Semiconductors, a leading global provider of innovative production solutions and services for the telecommunications, advanced silicon and advanced packaging semiconductor market segments, today jointly announced the signing of a long-term partnership agreement for the supply of Brooks' integrated cluster tool platforms to Unaxis Semiconductors. Under the terms of the purchasing agreement, Unaxis Semiconductors commits to using the Brooks Marathon Express(TM) and Gemini Express(TM) vacuum cluster tools as the foundation of its new Unified Platform initiative.
``We are pleased that Unaxis Semiconductors has selected the Brooks Marathon Express and Gemini Express systems to use as the basis of its Unified Platform,'' said Robert J. Therrien, President and Chief Executive Officer of Brooks Automation, Inc. ``We believe there are clear advantages to standardizing on Brooks' automation platform that will allow Unaxis to service their customers better. It is significant that such a respected, innovative company has committed to making Brooks' technology an integral part of one of its most important initiatives. We look forward to continuing to partner with Unaxis, one of our largest and longest-standing cluster tool customers.''
The Brooks Express Line of ``building block'' products allows OEMs to optimize a cluster tool for each application. The core components, subassemblies, and controls architecture are common across the Marathon Express (sub-300mm) and Gemini Express (200/300mm bridge) platforms. The Brooks DeviceNet and Ethernet based controls architecture used in the Express Line is at the forefront of industry trends for simpler and more reliable process tools. This combination allows our customers to configure systems without the delay and expense of custom engineering.
``By redesigning its cluster tool architecture to utilize Brooks' products, Unaxis will be able to more rapidly address changing market needs,'' said Martin Bader, Head of Unaxis Semiconductors. ``We looked very seriously at buying only automation components and integrating the wafer handling system ourselves, but we became convinced that leveraging Brooks' expertise as the leading automation systems integrator in the industry would be more cost effective. Our two companies have had a successful relationship for over seven years. It made sense to leverage this relationship and enter into a long-term partnership with Brooks.''
Through the Unified Platform initiative Unaxis will offer its customers optimized 200mm and 300mm cluster tools for a wide range of process applications. By using the Brooks modular, configurable handling platforms, Unaxis will ensure that common spares, a common architecture, and a common service strategy will be employed across the entire Unified Platform series. This will improve tool availability and performance, and will minimize the training and spares inventory required by both Unaxis and its customers to build and maintain the tools. The use of Ethernet communications between major modules, including the CTC Controller, the wafer handling robot, and the process modules, and the use of Device Net to communicate between the discrete components will simplify the use and maintenance of cluster tools, a core goal of the Unified Platform strategy.
About Brooks Automation, Inc.
Brooks Automation, Inc. is a leading global supplier of OEM tool automation and factory management software for the semiconductor, data storage and flat panel display manufacturing industries. As an established player in hardware and software automation, Brooks continues to pioneer ``Best-in-Class'' technologies that outperform their competitors - from vacuum and atmospheric robots, cluster tool platforms and modules, ultra-clean mini-environments for isolating processing equipment and wafers - to factory and tool automation software and integration services. Both OEM and fab customers leverage Brooks Automation's products and environments. The Company has ISO 9001 certification, is headquartered in Chelmsford, Mass. and has direct operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and China. Brooks' web-site is www.brooks.com.
About Unaxis Semiconductors
Unaxis Semiconductors is a Division of Unaxis (virt-x: UNAX), a leading global provider of manufacturing systems and services for Information Technology markets, such as semiconductors, data storage, flat panel displays, optical components and selected non-IT markets. Unaxis Semiconductors offers a comprehensive range of innovative thin film production solutions for the Telecommunications (high frequency, optical and non-silicon based technologies), Advanced Silicon (all Si and SiGe applications as well as supporting applications such as Photomask and Failure Analysis) and Advanced Packaging (all wafer level packaging technologies) market segments. Process technologies include PVD, PECVD, UHV-CVD, LEPECVD, Etching (RIE, HDP, ICP) and RTP. Global Support is provided through three technology centers and over 50 sales and service locations. For more information, please visit www.semiconductors.unaxis.com.
``Safe Harbor'' Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The foregoing discussion contains forward-looking statements relating to the expected benefits of the Brooks Automation products sold to Unaxis Semiconductors. These statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, risks relating to the manner in which the customer uses the products and integrates the products with other components, the Company's dependence on the cyclical semiconductor industry, the ability of the Company to continue to successfully develop and market new products and product enhancements on a timely basis, the Company's dependence on relatively few customers for a significant portion of its revenues, the Company's reliance on sales to OEM customers and the lengthy sales cycles of those customers, the highly competitive nature and rapid technological change that characterize the industries in which the Company competes, and other risks and uncertainties described in the Company's reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a result, there can be no assurance that the Company's future results will not be materially different from those projected. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only of the Company's expectations as of the date of this press release. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statement to reflect any change in the Company's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
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Contact:
Mark Chung, Director of Investor Relations
Brooks Automation, Inc.
(978) 262-2459
mark.chung@brooks.com |
