Three more posts from AOL Motley Fool Cymer board. The authors are again expunged, since I didn't get permission. This is in reference to a section of the Union Tribune newspaper article (posted earlier, not by me), which stated "Cliff Kalista of the Pennsylvania Merchant Group voiced concern that one of Cymer's arch rivals was on the verge of introducing a competitive ultraviolet laser that would cost 40 percent less."
Subject: Competition ??
Date: Tue, Nov 4, 1997 14:11 EST
From: <deleted by ScotMcI>
Message-id: <19971104191101.OAA18451@ladder01.news.aol.com>
I'm trying to find out more about this.
[ScotMcI note - this is from a July 29,1996 press release]
Laser Photonics Lands Indeco Deal
TOKYO, JAPAN--Laser Photonics Analytical Division will supply Indeco (Tokyo, Japan), its exclusive distributor in Japan, with an initial order of five tunable diode-laser systems, valued at $600,000. These systems will be furnished to Tokyo Electron (Tokyo, Japan), the country's largest semiconductor-manufacturing-equipment maker, which is under contract to the Japanese government's Research and Development Corporation to develop advanced
plasma-etching systems for semiconductor fabrication.
Steve Qualls, Laser Photonics president and CEO, says, "We expect a minimum of 20 additional systems to be ordered by other Japanese semiconductor manufacturers and research groups." The plasma-etch systems also use the company's lead-salt-diode-based infrared spectrometers to monitor high-density plasma purity, permitting repeatable damage-free processing of microcircuits with features smaller than 0.18 ‘m. Qualls comments that "the potential upside
is tremendous, allowing us to re-establish ourselves in that part of the industry (see Laser Report, May 1, 1996, p. 3)."
In related developments, Laser Photonics hopes to file a registration statement shortly to begin human trials this fall of its excimer-laser-based transmyocardial vascularization system (see Laser Report, May 1, 1996, p. 3)--RD
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Subject: Re: Competition ??
Date: Tue, Nov 4, 1997 15:15 EST
From: <deleted by ScotMcI>
Message-id: <19971104201500.PAA23694@ladder02.news.aol.com>
[Irrelevant stuff deleted here -- ScotMcI]
I called Penn. Merchants Group and they told me Laser Photonics was the company Cliff Kalista was referring to, however, they are certainly not an arch-rival. I think they may have told me the wrong company.
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Subject: Competition followup
Date: Tue, Nov 4, 1997 16:47 EST
From: <delete by ScotMcI>
Message-id: <19971104214700.QAA02402@ladder02.news.aol.com>
I spoke with the finance depart at Laser Photonics at 3:30 cdt. Lasor Photonics is in fact who Cliff Kalista at Penn. Merchants was refering to in the news story. Lasor Photonics is fully intending to enter into the arena with CYMI and Komatsu, etc. They have a prototype in California and evidently in Japan. It will be some time, however, before they are ready. He denied Lasor Photonics was working with Komatsu.
Nothing sounded like it was going to happen soon but it did sound as though they might have a competitive device some months from now. Of course, the guy could not be any more specific than this.
I tried briefly to find out financials and other data on this company but was unsucessful. I asked for a financial packet but they have none ready as yet.
Nevertheless, CYMI five customers have to know about this--why would anyone try to enter this arena without first having contacted the 5 stepper builders. Those stepper manufacturers have, evidently, cast their decision and are buying everything CYMI can make the next two quarters.
It remains to be seen who can compete with CYMI, can build the support and service ability and do so profitably while trying to take market share. CYMI has the market share in place and can do so economically and profitably.
I wonder if INTEL or MicroSoft has competition? I wonder if MS and other analysts have downgraded their stock likewise?
PS--Lasor Photonics, if I misunderstood anything or in any way failed to accurately summarize our phone conversation today, please e-mail me with the correction and I will post. |
