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Technology Stocks : PLASMA THERM (PTIS) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Nittany Lion who wrote (286)	12/24/1997 4:14:00 PM
From: C. Shivery	Respond to of 509

.......Penn State! Most of the backlog is in the Versalock product which has continued to provide PTIS with higher margins. I think the MEMS market has just begun to be tapped. Versalock can be used for MEMS, but it can be used for other segments within PTIS's market. Versalock is highly reliable and has won awards in the past for innovation. I am stressing MEMS because I think this will become one of the largest market segments for PTIS and vault it into an a catagory that will allow PTIS to compete with AMAT, KLIC or KLAC. PTIS management has met or exceeded all expectation to date and they do not flaunt the stock. They are conservative in their press releases. Last time I looked, over 25% of the company was owned by insiders. By selling, they reliquish control. Over the past couple of years they have brought in directors and higher level managment that is not affiliated with the Deferrari family. I see this as a positive sign. Not that the Defarrai's have not done well, but when you get a various range of background and experiences, this can be very positive for a company the size of PTIS. Anyway, have a joyous Christmas and happy holidays!

To: Nittany Lion who wrote (286)	12/25/1997 10:53:00 AM
From: Stephen Ettorre	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 509

I have a small position in PTIS. My understanding is that PTIS is still heavily dependent on disk drive manufacturers (e.g. SEG). With the recent collapse in this group and the likelihood that Asian disk drive manufacturers will be driving prices down, I am concerned the PTIS' customers will start playing hardball and demand price cuts on the part of all its suppliers (much like GM, Ford & Chrysler do in the automotive business). Needless to say, I don't think PTIS' stock will do well if this materializes. Any thought? -Steve