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 : Ultratech Stepper -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Carl Mays who wrote (2372)	4/24/1998 4:01:00 PM
From: Ian@SI	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 3696

Carl, re: However, I do question a foray into the high end against Nikon, ASML and Canon. 1. PGILD and V2000 tools are targeted at the very high end of the market. V2000 directly at the mask making sector and PGILD making processes at .18micron and smaller feature sizes both feasible and productive. 2. UTEK has been (or at least "was") doing research into EUV Lithography. Their intent was to leapfrog the key players with a 0.10micron capable tool. Unfortunately DUV destroyed or at least deferred that plan. re: ISI is on the verge of bankruptcy and I believe this acquisition will divert focus and cash away from dealing with the last 7 quarters' decline in revenues and earnings. One could have said almost the same thing about the Lepton acquisition plus added that Lepton had a useless tool that had already been rejected by the Mask shops and scorned by ETEC who also could have bought Lepton prior to UTEK being approached. At least the ISI stepper is respected by industry insiders. For a more informed discussion, check out the General Lithography thread, post a query to Andrew. He's already had one post on this subject today. Message 4195123 I would regard an ISI acquisition as highly synergistic, and an excellent opportunity for UTEK to get into the Lithography game as a full service provider. They would be a formidable competitor. IMHO, Ian.

To: Carl Mays who wrote (2372)	4/24/1998 6:13:00 PM
From: Katherine Derbyshire	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 3696

Never argue with a man with six Ferraris. Art Z. has made himself very rich by proving other people wrong. Regarding ISI specifically, and forays into the high end in general, it seems to me that UTEK has got to get beyond the 1X niche at some point, simply because even the low end will be moving to smaller and smaller feature sizes, making 1X masks less and less cost effective. (And, over time, converting all those expensive high end steppers from the Big Three into inexpensive low end reduction steppers.)Trying to leapfrog the other guys seems to me to make more sense than trying to compete head to head in a market that they own. As for the "poor reputation" of GCA mentioned in your earlier note, GCA was done in by poor marketing and arrogance, not lack of technology. If the price is right, ISI could be worth acquiring for their patent portfolio alone. Katherine