Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Formerly About Applied Materials -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Proud_Infidel who wrote (54257)	10/18/2001 9:43:35 AM
From: Proud_Infidel	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 70976

Applied Materials Receives Over $200 Million Order from New GSMC Foundry in China SHANGHAI, People's Republic of China--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 18, 2001-- Grace Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. and Applied Materials Form Key Alliance To Support Faster Time to Chip Manufacturing Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAT - news) today announced an order totaling more than $200 million for an extensive set of process technologies and services from Grace Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. (GSMC), a new foundry located in Shanghai, China. This order places Applied Materials as the primary equipment supplier for GSMC and establishes the basis for a long-term, key partnership to support continuing manufacturing requirements. System shipments are scheduled to commence in 2002. Dr. Winston Wong, chief executive officer of GSMC, commented, ``Our choice of Applied Materials to spearhead our manufacturing capability is based on its comprehensive, total solutions approach to semiconductor production that includes the industry's broadest portfolio of outstanding process technologies and technical support. We are confident Applied Materials can support our successful entry into today's competitive semiconductor industry by providing proven products and operational efficiencies that will allow us to maximize productivity and accelerate the delivery of our chips to market.'' GSMC's order includes multiple dielectric and conductor Etch, CVD (chemical vapor deposition), CMP (chemical mechanical planarization), PVD (physical vapor deposition), RTP (rapid thermal processing), ion implant and inspection-metrology systems. GSMC has also purchased a customized Total Support Package(TM) (TSP) for its Applied Materials systems. The TSP program outsources equipment maintenance and spare parts management to Applied Materials' expert service teams, enabling increased system productivity and lower overall operating costs. ``We are very impressed with the progress of China's chipmaking industry and the commitment from companies such as GSMC to further facilitate the development of the region's growing semiconductor market,'' said James C. Morgan, chairman and chief executive officer of Applied Materials. ``Applied Materials has worked for many years to put the infrastructure in place to support chipmakers, and today's grand opening of our new Shanghai facility expands our capabilities in China to help our customers quickly ramp up their manufacturing lines to speed products to market.'' ``Our strategic relationship with GSMC is very gratifying and presents an exciting opportunity for Applied Materials to further participate in China's rapidly developing semiconductor industry,'' said Dr. David N. K. Wang, executive vice president and member of office of the president of Applied Materials. ``The GSMC fab in Shanghai represents a new phase in China's manufacturing infrastructure, and demonstrates that the country is set to become a major player in the global IC market.'' Establishing offices in Beijing in 1984, Applied Materials was the first semiconductor equipment company to operate a service center in the People's Republic of China, offering system service and support to local semiconductor manufacturers. Applied Materials China maintains sales and support offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin and Wuxi. As part of its expanding service and support capabilities, which includes providing support to GSMC, Applied Materials has opened its newest office in China, a 90,000 square foot facility in Shanghai. The facility contains the company's regional center for sales and marketing support, as well as a technical training center where customer engineers and technicians will receive instruction on the maintenance and operation of the company's wafer processing equipment. This facility will provide significant training and technical support for GSMC personnel during the operation of the new fab. Applied Materials (Nasdaq:AMAT - news), the largest supplier of products and services to the global semiconductor industry, is one of the world's leading information infrastructure providers. Applied Materials enables Information for Everyone(TM) by helping semiconductor manufacturers produce more powerful, portable and affordable chips. Applied Materials' Web site is www.appliedmaterials.com.