SEMICON JAPAN UPDATE:
The following is my person opinion only, and is of NO INVESTMENT VALUE.
I exhibited at Semicon for the 3 days of the show, so I was not able to visit laser cos during the show, but I stopped by for an early morning visit this Friday.
Cymer booth:
1. Small booth (why not be agressive?)
2. Product guide in English
3. Contact person in product guide is an American in the U.S. with a S.D. phone #
4. Machine on display
Why didn't they get a big flashy booth, and fill it with salespeople to address all customers who come by? Why is the company info in English? Why is the contact person some guy in S.D.? Japanese customers do not want to have to call the U.S. in English to make inquiries.
I was not happy with the basic exhibit problems mentioned above, and I feel a little uncomfortable about just how localized their operations in Japan are.
Komatsu booth:
No time to go by, but rumored not to have a machine on display.
Lambda booth:
Machine on display right in front of Nikon's booth.
Conversation with Cymer:
I met a friendly American sales guy, who told me the same thing that Cymer management has said, that Cymer is the only one shipping systems for production, and that the others are being evaluated only. He seemed to be conscious of the negative rumors on Wall Street.
Conversation with Nikon:
Met a Nikon sales guy who covers Taiwan. He said:
1. Komatsu seems to have better service in Japan.
2. Cymer is making too much money, and does not have the resources to offer good service too all companies. Some little companies in Taiwan feel neglected by Cymer, and are starting to ask for Komatsu.
3. We have shipped Komatsu lasers to Taiwan (no figures given).
The Nikon did not seem to be interested in Lambda at all, and suggested I ask his boss if I wanted to pursue it. Maybe they have told Lambda "no".
Now, want to know how bad the U.S. financial community is about collecting info about what is really happening in Japan? Guess what I found in a magazine free to EVERYONE WHO VISITED SEMICON JAPAN (Japanese language only).
There is 2 page article about Komatsu (I believe written by Komatsu) that offers their laser as an important component for 300mm production. It says:
1. Current production will be 20 systems a month by end this year (or their fiscal year?)
2. Have plans to ramp to 500 systems a year.
3. Are preparing to set up service stations in Japan and abroad.
I don't have time to translate the article, but from the above I would say that "KOMATSU IS GOING TO BE A PLAYER IN THIS MARKET."
Good luck....
THC
Next we need to get Yousef's update from his meeting with Nikon U.S. |
