Nanometrics Completes Acquisition of Key Semiconductor Metrology Product
SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 1, 1998--Nanometrics
Incorporated (NASDAQ:NANO - news), announced today that it has completed
the acquisition of the Metra(R) Semiconductor Metrology Product from
Optical Specialties, Inc.
The acquisition included purchase of exclusive ownership of the Metra
product line and all related assets. Transfer of Metra assets has been
completed, including inventory, product test equipment, intellectual
property including patents, software and design information. Key Metra
employees have transferred to Nanometrics. The Company has assumed
responsibility for sales and service of the existing installed base of
nearly 200 Metra systems using its worldwide customer support network.
Nanometrics has already started engineering programs aimed at improved
versions of the Metra to meet the roadmap time window of the next
generation of integrated circuits with critical dimensions 0.20 micron
or smaller. This will require further reduction in stepper registration
error and therefore more precise metrology. Integrated circuits are made
by building up a series of patterned films on a silicon wafer, using
high resolution photolithography and other complex processes. It is
essential that successive layers are accurately aligned, one relative to
the other, across the wafer.
Excessive errors in alignment can result in device malfunction and
therefore poor production yields. The Metra is used to measure and map
these overlay errors after each lithography step. As circuit features
shrink and overlay registration requirements become more stringent, the
Company anticipates that the need for these tools will grow rapidly in
the next few years.
Vincent Coates, Nanometrics' CEO, stated, ''Since 1980 Nanometrics has
been a leading manufacturer of integrated circuit metrology products. We
are delighted to have acquired the Metra product line which represents
for us further product diversification and a significant technological
leap forward in automated, fast and accurate measurement. We plan to
bring this unique hardware and software capability to our existing
customer base throughout the world with a strong, well-financed
organization.
''It is predicted that the next generation of sub-quarter micron
computer chip designs will be employed in gigabit DRAMS, gigahertz
microprocessors and smaller, less costly microchips. These products will
require tighter control of stepper registration errors on their many
layers of superimposed, interconnected circuit elements. We will offer
our customers Metras with the ability to control these advanced
photolithography processes. Metra-type products are expected to show
substantial future growth in sales. We will participate aggressively in
this market as it develops.''
The Metra acquisition by Nanometrics was a cash transaction. A portion
of these costs will be charged to first quarter results.
Nanometrics is a leading producer of automated systems used to measure
physical dimensions of circuit elements. The Company has pioneered many
developments in the measurement of sub-micron features on integrated
circuits, flat panel displays and magnetic memory devices. All of the
Company's products contain proprietary features and embedded computer
software. Nanometrics' corporate office is located at 310 De Guigne Dr.,
Sunnyvale, California 94086, with sales and service offices worldwide.
The foregoing discussion includes forward looking statements regarding
Nanometrics' manufacture and sale of products incorporating OSI's
technology, the development of advanced models and the growth of the
market for, and the success of, the product line. Actual results could
differ and such differences could be material.
Factors that could cause such differences include market demand for
these products and the effect of competition, as well as Nanometrics'
ability to integrate the technology and to develop, manufacture, sell
and service the products. Also see risk factors set forth in the
Company's Forms 10K and 10Q filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Nanometrics' Web Site is nanometrics.com.
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Contact:
Nanometrics
Paul Nolan, 408/746-1600 ext. 122 |
