*AV* -- <GG>--Yeah, I wonder. While I do not have a 100% record of picking takeovers, my batting average is extremely high. While GGNS has yet to succumb nor has AGAI, I beleive the rest have. Even lowly NETC finally got the nod. It makes a whole lot of sense for IPEC to come under the wing of one of the big boys in the equipment arena. It is an emerging technology which will pay off for the acquirer down the road (this year I guesstimate). The comments listed on the cash position and market capitalization make this a very easy takeover relative to cash and other things.
I am building a decent position here in order to offset (average down) a prior investment. I am willing to let the market come to me down the road and wait for the profits to present themselves to me. I can be patient here.
On the subject of AMAT, I would like to present the following Businesswire article which I am sure everyone may have seen. However, I wanted to make a few short comments. First, remember that AMAT acquired 2 companies (Orbot and Opal) both of which are in the metrology and inspection equipment area. This was part of their overall business strategy to ultimately provide a turnkey solution for all areas of a wafer fab (OOPS, just remembered SVGI was also a failed takeover candidate). Second, Texas Instruments is a top tier big IC name in the industry. By evaluating and choosing the KLAC product over the AMAT product, a strong statement has been made. Third, Texas Instruments is a member of SEMATECH and as such, this announcement could trickle down to other companies through the SEMATECH connection. Last, even though this does not amount to a great deal of revenues (one customer), it should be considered as a positive indicator of what may be coming down the road, as the industry either hunkers down or starts its recovery process.
My 3 strongest companies, as mentioned before, that could remain stable or grow in this uncertain environment were KLAC, PLAB, and ASYT. I still stand behind these companies and believe them to be solid over the course of the next year.
BTW-ASYT has 3 unannounced SMIF retrofit or new fab layout projects (they might not even know they have the projects yet) of sizeable proportion over the next 1-2 years. I learned of this from low to mid level Engineering contacts at 3 different companies that have decided to SMIF their fabs. This information may be so "insider" that the ASYT insiders don't even know it. Again, it is because of my active knowledge and industry standing in this arena that I have come across this information. I am very often used as a technical resource contact since I am considered an industry expert in the area of SMIF and minienvironments. I am sharing this information with all of you in this community of investors to do what you see fit with.
On with the KLAC news release:
KLA-Tencor's SEM Technology for Critical Dimension Measurement and Advanced Defect Inspection Selected by Texas Instruments
Business Wire - January 28, 1998 16:15
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 28, 1998-- 8100XP and SEMSpec Systems to be Installed at New Advanced Process Development Center
KLA-Tencor Corp. (NASDAQ:KLAC) today announced Texas Instruments (TI) has chosen its 8100 critical dimension scanning electron microscopy (CD SEM) technology for process control applications in the development of 0.25 micron and smaller advanced integrated circuits (ICs), as well as ordered a new fully automated SEMSpec 2702 wafer inspection system. TI's choice of the 8100 CD SEM technology resulted in a order for multiple 8100XP CD SEMs and upgrade packages for those 8100 systems already in use at TI's newest research facility, the Jack Kilby Center (KFAB), Dallas, Texas.
The SEMSpec will be used in KFAB, initially for advanced process technology development, and later to speed technology transfer to other TI fabs. KFAB is responsible for development and fan-out of new processes to TI fabs and joint ventures worldwide. In addition to the SEM-based products, TI also purchased other KLA-Tencor systems for use at KFAB, including: defect inspection systems for reticles, patterned wafers and unpatterned wafers; defect review and analysis systems; overlay metrology systems; and thin film measurement systems. "Our selection of KLA-Tencor's 8100XP CD SEM was the result of a rigorous selection process conducted by a team representing our research, technology transfer and manufacturing organizations," stated Dale Harbison, vice president of the Semiconductor Group in TI's Manufacturing Science and Technology Center. "One of the key factors in our selection was the ease with which the 8100 series can be integrated into new processes. The system's high level of productivity in advanced applications will be important as we anticipate fanning out the 8100 technology to our manufacturing applications worldwide." Harbison continued, "We selected the SEMSpec because we believe its ability to detect difficult-to-find electrical defects, and those which are too small to be seen optically, will help to substantially accelerate our new process development and speed the transfer of new technology to manufacturing."
TI plans to initially use the KLA-Tencor CD SEMs for deep ultra-violet (DUV) stepper qualification and advanced process control. The 8100XP CD SEM performs fully automated cassette-to-cassette CD measurements on silicon wafers and reticles. Its unique electron optical design allows bottom imaging of high aspect ratio structures and precise measurements for tight process control.
The 2702 SEMSpec system is a fully automated SEM-based inspection tool capable of detecting yield-limiting material and electrical defects undetectable by other inspection tools. Prior to SEMSpec, fabs could only detect these optically invisible defects using time-consuming electrical probe test methodologies. SEMSpec's electron-optical design, with a scanning speed several thousand times faster than traditional SEM technologies, provides defect engineers with critical defect information.
About KLA-Tencor: KLA-Tencor is the world leader in yield manage!
ment and process control solutions for semiconductor manufacturing and
related industries. An S&P 500 company, KLA-Tencor is traded on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol KLAC. Additional information about the company is available on the Internet at www.kla-tencor.com.
AV |
