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To: TI2, TechInvestorToo who wrote (1006)5/27/1998 11:20:00 PM
From: jeffbas  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 1305
 
"I think that as these tools get ever more expensive captive shops will GRADUALLY find them a luxury they can no longer afford."

I stick with that statement, but do not argue your specific point. Note DPMI took over a captive shop from a large Korean company a few months back. I just think that maintaining this expertise in house will become ever more of an issue for captives - perhaps a bit like the decision gradually being made by everyone to get out of manufacturing and leave it to ECM's.



To: TI2, TechInvestorToo who wrote (1006)5/29/1998 12:48:00 AM
From: Crossy  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 1305
 
re: MASK tooling up

TI2 & all,
I read the press statement again (ETEC, MASK). The order will come in 2 parts: part one is this summer, part two is next year, total order volume $25 million including comprehensive service agreement

According to the calculations I derived from MASK's financial ratios I'm now under the impression that all MASK needs is to generate $2 million more sales per YEAR over the CURRENT QUARTER's level. (not last' year's !). That would be $48 million. BEyond that the depreciation effect of the order would be nonexistant. I also found out that there won't be a bank load necessary. Unbelievable. Never knew that MASK was that strong <G>

However 2 unknown's remain to me, mostly a technical nature.

1) ALTA(R)-3500 advanced laser systems : what type of mask writing tool is this ? How advanced is that ? Line density this system supports ? What's the leadtime normally associated with this system - how long would it take a company (MASK) to master the learning curve in months/Quarters ?

2) MEBES-upgrades : what is the purpose of those upgrades ? better Density characteristics ? Tricks like PSM & OPC ? Since it's an upgrade I concur that learning curve should be shorter than for the ALTA-part. However I could be wrong with that. Any ideas ?

3) Service agreement ? What's the typical "worth" of a service agreement, that seems to be included in the 25 million dollar order. I mean what percentage of order could be linked with service ?

best regards
CROSSY