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Politics : Formerly About Applied Materials -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Jack Kunkle who wrote (29106)	3/18/1999 12:15:00 PM
From: Duker	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 70976

Applied Materials On Top of $2.06 Billion 1998 Dry Etch Market Says the Information Network NEW TRIPOLI, PA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 18, 1999--Applied Materials continues to attain top honors in the dry etch marketplace, according to the report Plasma Etching: Market Analysis and Strategic Issues, recently published by The Information Network, a New Tripoli, PA-based market research company. For 1998, perennial leader Applied Materials (NASDAQ:AMAT - news) held a 33% market share in equipment sales, down from a from a 35% market share in 1997. Lam Research (NASDAQ:LRCX - news) followed with a 27% share, even from 1997. Tokyo Electron was in third place with a 21% share, up from 19% in 1997. GaSonics (NASDAQ:GSNX - news) and Mattson (NASDAQ:MTSN - news) were virtually tied for the stripping market crown in 1998. GaSonics had dominated the market in 1997. The worldwide market for dry etch systems will increase 10.2% in 1999 after a 31% drop in 1998. The stripper market will increase 11.8% in 1999. ''In 1998, U.S. companies, on the strength of Applied Materials and Lam Research, sold 63% of all dry etch equipment (based on revenue volumes) and 53% of dry strip equipment on the strength of GaSonics, Fusion, and Mattson Technology.'' notes Dr. Robert N. Castellano, President of The Information Network. Dry etching systems must demonstrate the ability to etch sub-0.25 micron geometries while controlling profiles. Anisotropic profiles with controlled tapers are ideal. This will allow the manufacture of devices utilizing multi-level structures. New materials such as copper will be used in device fabrication, and suppliers will be expected to provide proven processes for these materials. Due to the increasing complexity of device manufacture, it will become necessary for users to select and closely work with a particular supplier. Future equipment will become very process specific. Vendor selection will be based upon hardware and process performance, as well as pricing policies, financial stability, support network, willingness to negotiate strategic issues, and their overall commitment to the industry. ''Applied Material captured the dry etching marketplace. They achieved this by introducing an advanced technology product, supporting it with advanced processes, supporting their customer base with hardware and process guarantees, and increasing their visibility throughout Japan, Europe, and the rest of the world,'' notes Dr. Castellano.