Vanguard Semiconductor Achieves 100 Percent Manufacturing Uptime Using PRI Automation's PROMIS MES Software
Zero downtime results in considerable savings for Taiwanese semiconductor foundry
BILLERICA, Mass., March 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/-- PRI Automation, Inc. (Nasdaq: PRIA, Toronto: PRJ), a global leader in advanced automation systems, software and services for the semiconductor industry, today announced that customer Vanguard International Semiconductor Corp. experienced 100 percent uptime in its semiconductor wafer fabs during all of 2001 using PRI's robust PROMIS® Manufacturing Execution System (MES) software.
PROMIS is a primary component of PRI's P300(TM) solution, a completely pre-integrated software solution for 200mm and 300mm wafer fabs. PROMIS software directs the flow of materials throughout the entire manufacturing process, monitors the major elements of manufacturing, and provides real-time performance analysis, enabling manufacturers to identify and correct problems as they arise. It is widely used by leading semiconductor and precision electronics manufacturers to minimize manufacturing cycle time and maximize wafer yield.
``In order to remain highly competitive, it is imperative that our manufacturing operations operate as efficiently as possible, with the least amount of downtime,'' stated Wang Jin-tao, section manager, Vanguard International Semiconductor. ``For Vanguard in 2001, both of our semiconductor foundry facilities have reported 100 percent uptime. This is significant, as even a small amount of unscheduled downtime can result in a substantial financial loss. Thanks to PROMIS' solid reliability and performance, PRI has provided our company with considerable cost savings.''
``PROMIS consistently wins high marks from customers for its in-fab performance,'' said Tom Mariano, vice president factory management software for PRI. ``The extraordinary results achieved at Vanguard show that PROMIS has set a new industry benchmark for MES reliability.''
About Vanguard International Semiconductor Corporation
Vanguard International Semiconductor Corporation (VIS) was founded in December 1994. In March 1998, VIS became a listed company on the Taiwan Over- The-Counter (OTC) Stock Exchange. The main VIS facilities are located in the Hsinchu Science-Based Industrial Park, Taiwan, where the company specializes in DRAM manufacturing and logic IC foundry services.
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. 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. These risks and uncertainties include the following: the manner in which the customer uses our products and integrates them with third- party components may affect their performance; the downturn in the semiconductor capital equipment industry is harming our business; fluctuating demand for our products makes it difficult to manage our business efficiently; we have reduced our workforce in response to the industry downturn and reduced demand for our products and our smaller workforce may be inadequate to handle increased demand for our products; we may continue to experience delays and technical difficulties with new product introductions; 300mm technology, in which we have invested heavily, is being adopted more slowly than we expected, competition for early 300mm orders is intense and we have to date received few orders for 300mm automated handling systems; our lengthy sales cycle makes it difficult to anticipate revenues; our operating results fluctuate significantly in response to a variety of factors; delays in shipment or customer acceptance of a single significant order could substantially decrease our revenues for a period; the application of new accounting guidance under SAB 101 will result in delayed recognition of revenues from our factory automation systems; we typically charge a fixed price for our factory automation systems and therefore, we are vulnerable to cost overruns; we have a limited number of customers, we do not have long-term purchase agreements with our customers, and the loss, cancellation or delay of an order by any of these customers could harm our business; we must continually improve our technology and develop new products to remain competitive; demand for less expensive semiconductors is increasing pressure to reduce our prices; industry consolidation and outsourcing could reduce the number of available customers; our operations outside North America expose us to special risks of doing business internationally; our investments in the Asia-Pacific market may not be successful; we face significant competition from other automation companies; we are increasingly dependent on subcontractors and one or a few suppliers of certain components, subassemblies and manufacturing processes; the failure of our key suppliers to deliver components on time could harm our business; we depend on our executive officers and other key personnel; our software products may contain defects that could result in claims and harm our business; we may be unable to protect our proprietary technology; others might claim that we infringe their technology; rising energy costs may increase our operating expenses; future acquisitions may disrupt the Company's operations; we are subject to pending class action securities litigation that could be costly to defend, divert the attention of our management and, if determined adversely to us, seriously harm our business; and other factors identified in our registration statement on Form S-3, file number 333-60180, filed with the SEC on May 3, 2000 and in the preliminary joint proxy statement/prospectus relating to Brooks Automation's proposed acquisition of PRI Automation included in the registration statement on Form S-4, file number 333-74590, filed with the SEC on December 19, 2001. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements included in this release.
PROMIS is a registered trademark and P300 is a trademark of PRI Automation, Inc. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners. |
