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 : S3 (A LONGER TERM PERSPECTIVE) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Jan A. Van Hummel who wrote (7725)	11/11/1997 10:04:00 AM
From: Mark Zavist	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 14577

Another Taiwan fire damages small fab By Mark LaPedus HSINCHU, Taiwan -- In an event that raises more questions about safety in Taiwan's semiconductor industry, the island was rocked by yet another wafer fab fire here today--the third such accident in just the last 13 months. Hsinchu-based Advanced Microelectronic Products Inc. (AMPI), a small IC company whose investors include the wife of Taiwan's president, today reported a fire caused up to $66 million worth of damage to the company's facility. AMPI produces consumer ICs, discrete devices, and other products. The fire apparently started on the first floor of AMIP's building. Sources said the blaze spread for two hours and reportedly damaged the company's 4-inch wafer fab, which processes chips with 1.2-micron technology. The fire was caused by an acid tank in the building that apparently overheated, according to sources. AMIP officials were not answering phone calls late today, while the Hsinchu Fire Department declined to comment on the blaze. AMIP is a small company in terms of overall sales, but its investors include the wife of Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui, who reportedly owns a 40% share in the firm. The son-in-law of Taiwan's vice president, Lien Chan, is a general manager of AMIP. Chan himself is also an investor in AMIP. AMIP's fire represents the third such accident in Taiwan since last year. In October 1996, Hsinchu-based Winbond Electronics Corp.'s new 8-in. fab was hit by a major fire, causing production delays and considerable damage. In late September, a major fire caused severe damage to a new 8-inch wafer fab operated by Hsinchu-based United Integrated Circuits Corp. (UICC), a joint-venture wafer foundry between Taiwan's United Microelectronics Corp. and seven North American fabless chip companies. The fire caused $416 million of damages and closed the plant for at least one year ( see Oct. 8 news coverage). The events once again raise questions about safety in Taiwan's wafer fabs. Government officials in Taiwan have expressed their concerns about the recent fab fires, while local companies have sprung into action to prevent another disaster. Last month, UMC pledged to spend millions of dollars in fire fighting equipment and personnel this year (see story from SBN's November monthly publication)