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Technology Stocks : VLSI Technology - Waiting for good news from NASDAQ !!! -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: JohnM who wrote (4972)	12/18/1998 6:48:00 AM
From: orkrious	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 6565

Jenoptik Infab Announces SMIF and Fab Automation Order From VLSI Technology Agreement with Fab Automation Leader Targets 0.15-Micron Devices companysleuth.com FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 17, 1998--Jenoptik Infab (FSE:JEN), a leading supplier of advanced factory automation systems to the global semiconductor industry, announced today a significant SMIF and fab automation order from VLSI Technology Inc. [Nasdaq:VLSI - news], a major designer and manufacturer of custom integrated circuits. Terms of the agreement involve the automating by Jenoptik Infab of VLSI's new 200 mm technology development pilot line fab in San Jose, Calif., which will serve as the site for leading-edge research, development and prototyping of process technologies at 0.15-micron feature sizes and below. All processing tools in this recently upgraded facility will be equipped with Infab's advanced SMIF and minienvironment technology. In addition, Jenoptik Infab will be responsible for automating the entire fab, including automatic lot identification systems, automatic work-in-progress tracking, process tool automation and wafer logistics stations. VLSI selected Infab for this project because Infab met VLSI's requirements for high-quality, cost-effective products. ''We opted for Jenoptik Infab's automation solution because of the many benefits in the areas of contamination control, operational efficiency and ergonomics,'' said Dr. Bijan Moslehi, VLSI director of process technology and San Jose technology development pilot line fab manager. ''These improvements will help us obtain higher product yields as we drive custom IC process technology to unprecedented geometries and performance over the next several years.'' Infab's minienvironment technology was also very important to VLSI. Moslehi explained, ''Minienvironments offer a simple and practical method to address the issue of controlling airborne particles while decreasing device feature sizes. It gives us a competitive advantage in providing a super-clean wafer processing environment offering reduced defect densities that raise yields and cut per-chip costs that also can be extended to future generations of technology.'' The Infab work at the VLSI San Jose pilot line has already begun, with the upgraded fab expected to come on line in the fourth quarter of 1998. According to Wolfgang Mayr, president of Jenoptik Infab, ''This order is very significant, since it is our first full fab installation in the U.S., and we have the opportunity to put in place a complete fab automation solution, demonstrating the added value of our total automation package.'' The main mission for the pilot line fab is development of advanced CMOS processes for system-on-a-chip customers. VLSI expects to devote approximately 60 percent of the new fab's time to technology development while the remaining 40 percent will be for pilot line production. About Jenoptik Infab Jenoptik Infab is a leading worldwide supplier of complete 200/300 mm semiconductor fab automation solutions. It is a part of Jenoptik AG, which is based in Jena, Germany, and publicly traded on the Frankfurt stock exchange (FSE:JEN). Jenoptik AG posted DM2.6 billion (US$1.43 billion) in revenues for 1997. Jenoptik AG is a global organization of high-technology companies, including M+W Zander, a leader in the design and building of advanced semiconductor manufacturing facilities worldwide. Together, Jenoptik Infab and M+W Zander have become pioneers in providing leading edge, factory integration solutions to the global semiconductor industry. Jenoptik Infab and M+W Zander employ more than 1,750 people worldwide and posted joint 1997 revenues in excess of DM1.4 billion (US$0.77 billion). About VLSI Technology Inc VLSI Technology Inc. designs and manufactures custom and semicustom integrated circuits for leading firms in the wireless communications, networking, consumer digital entertainment and computing markets. VLSI's value proposition is based on full-service customer support, deep libraries of vertical market-focused IC intellectual property, unparalleled custom circuit design expertise enables through the Velocity(tm) Rapid Silicon Prototyping design style, and one of the world's most flexible and efficient custom circuit manufacturing facilities. The company is based in San Jose, Calif., with 1997 revenues from continuing operations of $712.7 million, and approximately 2,200 employees worldwide. For more information, visit the VLSI homepage, www.vlsi.com. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------