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.

Technology Stocks : Azenta -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: BMcV who wrote (795)	7/29/2004 1:39:54 PM
From: robert b furman	Respond to of 1138

Agree, Asyt below 5 is where I wished I had bought it last time I owned it. Keep the faith - I sold out above 30.GG Bob

To: BMcV who wrote (795)	8/5/2004 10:04:20 AM
From: Proud_Infidel	Respond to of 1138

Brooks Automation To Gain From Shift To 300mm 08.05.04, 9:49 AM ET Credit Suisse First Boston said that judging from the fiscal first-quarter report from Asyst Technologies (nasdaq: ASYT - news - people ), the order mix in semiconductor equipment is shifting to 300mm from 200mm. CSFB said, "Several months back we suggested that the relative order mix in the second calendar quarter would shift away from 200mm towards 300mm. Asyst's comments last night provide additional evidence of this--with 200mm orders declining 32% sequentially versus 16% sequential growth in 300mm." The research firm said an unfavorable mix of 200mm will drive lower gross margins and lower profitability for Asyst. CSFB said a decline in 200mm orders affects several other companies in its coverage, "most notably" Axcelis Technologies (nasdaq: ACLS - news - people ), as well as Applied Materials (nasdaq: AMAT - news - people ), Lam Research (nasdaq: LRCX - news - people ) and Novellus Systems (nasdaq: NVLS - news - people ). However in increasing mix shift to 300 mm will benefit Brooks Automation (nasdaq: BRKS - news - people ), "which is better positioned against Asyst at 300mm than it was at 200mm." forbes.com

To: BMcV who wrote (795)	9/20/2004 9:52:44 AM
From: Proud_Infidel	Respond to of 1138

Brooks Software Wins Multi-Million Dollar Contract with Powerchip Semiconductor to Implement Fault Detection Solution in 300mm Factories Monday September 20, 9:34 am ET Brooks' Real-Time Fault Detection System Maximizes Process and Equipment Efficiency for Leading Memory Chip Manufacturer CHELMSFORD, Mass., Sept. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Brooks Software, a division of Brooks Automation, Inc. (Nasdaq: BRKS - News) and a leading provider of real-time applications for enterprises with collaborative, complex manufacturing operations, today announced that Powerchip Semiconductor Corporation, a leading memory chip manufacturer in Taiwan, has awarded a multi-million dollar contract for large-scale deployment of Brooks' fault detection solution at its new 300mm factories. With the semiconductor industry facing escalating manufacturing costs and process complexity, especially with the transition to 300mm size wafers, the Brooks fault detection solution is becoming an increasingly important software tool that allows advanced manufacturers like Powerchip to evaluate in real-time the stability and repeatability of its manufacturing processes to ensure optimal process and equipment efficiency. "Maintaining high quality production is the key to meeting customer commitments," said Mr. Damon Dai, Deputy Manager, Analysis Technology Department at Powerchip Semiconductor Corporation. "Brooks offers a low-risk and proven fault detection system with greater process data storage and more advanced analytical capabilities, as well as a comprehensive suite of fault detection modeling algorithms that will allow us to maintain the kind of product excellence that Powerchip delivers to its customers." According to Joe Bellini, senior vice-president of Brooks Software, a division of Brooks Automation, "The Brooks fault detection solution is a key component of our APC suite and leverages our real-time 'sense, decide, respond' architecture, allowing Powerchip to address the slightest change in a manufacturing process the moment it occurs. In general, Brooks real-time enterprise software is helping discrete manufacturers successfully execute multiple enterprise and plant-level strategies such as performance management, supply chain execution, lean manufacturing and closed loop automation. For example, the Brooks Enterprise Performance Management application is built on the same architecture as the APC suite and provides the same 'sense, decide, respond' capability at the enterprise level as fault detection does at the manufacturing level. For semiconductor companies such as Powerchip, partnering with Brooks to improve their manufacturing efficiency and reduce costly down- time allows them to accelerate return on investment for their 300mm fabs and to realize the benefits of the real-time enterprise." Built upon Brooks' SenseDecideRespond(TM) real-time architecture, the Brooks fault detection solution applies statistical process control methodology to key process parameters, enabling the system to detect early warning indicators and issue alarms as necessary. Powerchip operators can set limits so that alarms are issued before the process has drifted outside acceptable boundaries, allowing corrections to be made before product is potentially lost. Once a process has been modeled, operators can then expand use of the Brooks fault detection solution to include chamber and tool matching. As a result of its newly implemented fault detection capabilities, Powerchip expects to see notable improvements in scrap prevention and cycle time and reduction in mean time to repair (MTTR). The Brooks fault detection solution will be deployed at two Powerchip sites in Taiwan. The first implementation was recently completed, while the second is scheduled for next year. About Powerchip Semiconductor Corp Powerchip Semiconductor Corporation (PSC) is the leading commercial memory chip manufacturer in Taiwan. It was established in Hsinchu Science-based Industrial Park in December 1994. PSC gained a technological sector listing on the Taiwan GreTai Security Market, and issued a Global Depository Receipt (GDR) in 1999, becoming the first Taiwan-listed company to be listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. About Brooks Software Brooks Software, a division of Brooks Automation (NASDAQ: BRKS - News), provides real-time applications that support enterprise-wide initiatives for greater efficiency and productivity in collaborative, complex manufacturing. Brooks' SenseDecideRespond manufacturing software solutions are the foundation for enterprise initiatives in supply chain execution, closed loop automation, lean manufacturing and enterprise performance management. Installed in the majority of Fortune 500 manufacturers, Brooks Software delivers competitive advantage to aerospace & defense, automotive, high tech, life sciences and semiconductor manufacturers worldwide. For more information, visit software.brooks.com. "Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The foregoing discussion contains forward-looking statements related to future results and product capabilities and speaks only of Brooks Automation's expectations as of the date of this press release. The forward- looking statements involve several known and unknown risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, the continued success of Brooks Automation, Inc. (the "Company") in the marketplace, the Company's dependence on the cyclical semiconductor industry, the highly competitive nature and rapid technological change that characterize the industries in which the Company competes, the performance of the Company's products and services, and other risks and uncertainties described in the Company's reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a result, there can be no assurance that the Company's future results will not be materially different from those projected. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statement to reflect any change in the Company's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. All trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: Brooks Automation, Inc.

To: BMcV who wrote (795)	9/27/2004 9:53:23 AM
From: Proud_Infidel	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1138

Brooks Software Continues Momentum in Discrete Manufacturing with New Flat Panel Display Customer Wins Monday September 27, 9:48 am ET Brooks' Real-Time Manufacturing Applications Win New Customers in Fast Growing Market CHELMSFORD, Mass., Sept. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Brooks Software, a division of Brooks Automation, Inc. (Nasdaq: BRKS - News), and a leading provider of real-time applications for enterprises with collaborative, complex manufacturing operations, today announced two recent multi-million dollar Manufacturing Execution System (MES) wins in the flat panel display (FPD) market: one at ChungHwa Picture Tubes (CPT), a leading Taiwanese FPD manufacturer, and the other at a Generation 5 FPD manufacturer also located in Taiwan. The recent orders demonstrate Brooks Software's continued momentum in delivering its real-time manufacturing applications to discrete manufacturers. "There is growing market demand for real-time applications within discrete manufacturing," said Joe Bellini, senior vice-president of Brooks Software, a division of Brooks Automation. "Brooks' flexible and adaptive execution applications are an important component of our SenseDecideResond suite of manufacturing solutions that create a real-time environment reaching from the factory floor to enterprise-level business systems." LCD Wins and Momentum FPD manufacturing is a fast growing industry segment and an important component of Brooks Software's push into discrete, "high tech" industries with its real-time enterprise solutions. Over the last 12 months Brooks Software has: Gained MES market share in the FPD industry, winning sixty percent of all MES opportunities with its FACTORYworks® and LCDworks(TM) MES solutions; Signed a Letter-of-Intent with another large-scale LCD/FPD producer to develop the world's first real-time solution for a Generation 7 FPD manufacturing facility; Successfully grown its geographic penetration with key implementations in the newer Generation 5 and Generation 6 plants in Taiwan; Expanded its product footprint in this industry with recent deployments of Brooks' APF Real Time Dispatcher(TM) and Activity Manager(TM); and, -- Continued to gain market share with its CLASS MCS(TM) 5 Material Control System (MCS). Brooks has previously announced over 20 major installations in FPD including such companies as AFPD, RiT Display, BOE-Hydis, and Unipac. "To remain competitive in a hot and evolving market, FPD manufacturers such as CPT are investing in newer technologies and plants," said Bharat Nair, Industry Director for High Technology Markets for Brooks Software. "We are winning new MES customers and growing our marketshare because our solutions deliver out-of-the-box functionality that allows discrete manufacturers to quickly ramp up their facilities and operate at higher levels of productivity. Our solutions ultimately deliver a better utilization of assets, greater competitive advantage and increased profitability." Demonstrating Success in Brooks' Real-Time Enterprise Initiative According to recent reports from industry analyst firms AMR Research, ARC and Dataquest/Gartner, Brooks Software is the largest supplier of execution applications to the discrete manufacturing industry. For the high tech market, an August 2004 Gartner report counsels that Brooks' MES solutions should be on manufacturers' shortlists. Brooks' adaptive MES solutions deliver a wide range of functionality tailored to support the specific needs of discrete manufacturers, including full product and process traceability and collaborative and multi-site manufacturing. Its real-time execution software provides a common data model across all aspects of the discrete manufacturing cycle, including planning and scheduling, execution and WIP tracking, asset management, and tooling and container management. Brooks recently announced its Real-Time Enterprise Initiative to help discrete manufacturers face growing business pressures from shrinking product lifecycles, collaborative business models, increasing regulatory requirements, and growing warranty/recall claims. Brooks worked with a range of discrete manufacturers in industries such as aerospace and defense, automotive, and high tech to extend the functionality of its real-time software applications to employ critical shop floor and supply chain data within broader strategic enterprise initiatives including supply chain execution, enterprise performance management, closed loop automation, and lean manufacturing. "Brooks is uniquely positioned to support discrete manufacturers' drive to become more adaptive and responsive organizations," continued Bellini. "With increased visibility to critical product and process information delivered by MES applications like LCDworks, discrete manufacturers can make more informed business decisions in response to changing market dynamics resulting in improved operational performance and higher return on investment." About FACTORYworks and LCDworks Based on Brooks' FACTORYworks MES solution, LCDworks delivers real-time manufacturing execution functionality optimized for the flat panel industry including LCD (TFT, Color Filter, and Module Lines), OLED, and plasma display panel (PDP) manufacturing operations. LCDworks is a modular, easily configured MES system that enables manufacturers to quickly ramp up production and adapt to changing technologies and business conditions. About ChungHwa Picture Tubes CPT, a leading display component provider, started in the CRT market in 1971 and grew to become the primary force behind mass production of TFT and PDP products in Taiwan. CPT is headquartered in Taoyuan, Taiwan, with more than 20,000 employees worldwide. CPT's customers include the top three CRT providers for monitors and TV, as well as the top five TFT providers for notebooks, monitors, and TV. CPT provides the premium display components that deliver competitive advantage and extend the market leadership of globally- recognized brands and OEM companies. About Brooks Software Brooks' SenseDecideRespond(TM) manufacturing software solutions are the foundation for enterprise initiatives in supply chain execution, closed loop automation, lean manufacturing and enterprise performance management. Installed in numerous Fortune 500 manufacturers, Brooks Software delivers competitive advantage to aerospace & defense, automotive, high tech, life sciences and semiconductor manufacturers worldwide. About Brooks Automation, Inc. Brooks Automation (Nasdaq: BRKS - News) delivers automation solutions to the global semiconductor and related industries. The company provides hardware, factory and tool management software, and professional services to help manage every wafer, reticle, and data movement in the fab, improving throughput and yield while reducing cost and time to market. Brooks' products and capabilities are used in virtually every semiconductor fab in the world. For information, visit the company's web site at brooks.com. "Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The foregoing discussion contains forward-looking statements related to future results and product capabilities and speaks only of Brooks Automation's expectations as of the date of this press release. The forward- looking statements involve several known and unknown risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, the continued success of Brooks Automation, Inc. (the "Company") in the marketplace, the Company's dependence on the cyclical semiconductor industry, the highly competitive nature and rapid technological change that characterize the industries in which the Company competes, the performance of the Company's products and services, and other risks and uncertainties described in the Company's reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward- looking statements include statements concerning Brooks software products and their capabilities, the Company's software marketing capabilities and our ability to continue to expand our market focus in software. As a result, there can be no assurance that the Company's future results will not be materially different from those projected. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statement to reflect any change in the Company's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. All trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: Brooks Automation, Inc.

To: BMcV who wrote (795)	1/6/2005 2:42:56 PM
From: Proud_Infidel	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1138

Companies vest options early to avoid new expenses Thu Jan 6, 2005 01:46 PM ET By Joel Rothstein WASHINGTON, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Companies are cutting expected stock option expenses in advance of new accounting rules by reducing the time executives and employees must wait before exercising options and cashing out, recent regulatory filings show. Hospital operator HCA Inc. (HCA.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , for example, says it will save $83 million in stock option expenses over the next four years by immediately vesting 19.1 million employee stock options far ahead of their original vest dates, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. On July 1, U.S. companies will be required to start treating employee stock options as routine business expenses like salaries and bonuses, even when options have strike prices lower than the current trading price. At present, companies need merely mention the value of the options in the footnotes of financial filings. "Analysts and large institutional investors and those in the know were not surprised" by the move, said HCA spokesman Jeff Prescott. Options -- which are rights allowing the holder to buy stock at a preset price in the future -- became a key part of many executives' pay in the 1990s. The Financial Accounting Standards Board, which writes U.S. accounting rules, issued the rule requiring expensing of options with an eye toward giving investors a clearer view of their true cost. But by vesting options in advance of the FASB rule change, companies have found a way to eliminate or reduce any potential charges to net income that might result from the change. MILLIONS IN SAVINGS HCA is not alone in its approach to the new rule. Wisconsin Energy Corp. (WEC.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , technology company UTStarcom Inc. (UTSI.O: Quote, Profile, Research) and software company Brooks Automation Inc. (BRKS.O: Quote, Profile, Research) have vested 3.4 million, 6.4 million and 1.3 million options, respectively. These companies have not disclosed the amount of expected savings, but Wisconsin Energy and Brooks Automation spokesmen have said it will be millions of dollars. All four companies cite the accounting rule as the reason for the action. "It is an obvious move to anyone who analyzes the accounting change -- this was a no brainer," said Mark Chung, director of investor relations at Chelmsford, Massachusetts-based Brooks. "We are not going out of our way to do anything extraordinary." "We have not gotten any negative response from shareholders," said Wisconsin Energy spokesman Rick White, adding he expects other companies to handle the accounting change the same way. "Based on my conversations with others in this industry and around the country, I suspect a lot of companies will come to the same conclusion and go ahead and just do it," White said. FASB Board Member Michael Crooch said they considered the possibility that companies may accelerate option vesting ahead of the rule change. But, he said, "The majority view of the board was that we did not want to put something that might be deemed abuse prevention in the transition." Crooch also said that the acceleration of vesting of stock options is allowed within current accounting rules, adding that he would be "very surprised" if the board reconsidered its decision and that "no one has asked."