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Press
Releases - 2003 |
ASYST
AND MATTSON FORM DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE FOR NEXT-GENERATION
AUTOMATED TOOL FRONT-END TECHNOLOGY
FREMONT, Calif. — April 8, 2003 — Asyst Technologies,
Inc. (NASDAQ: ASYT) and Mattson Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:
MTSN) today jointly announced a development alliance to integrate
Asyst’s next-generation unified atmospheric equipment
front-end with Mattson’s advanced 300mm rapid thermal
processing (RTP) equipment.
Traditional equipment front-ends have historically
involved labor- and time-intensive integration of multiple
components–atmospheric wafer-handling robotics, loadports,
wafer ID and tracking readers, mini-environments, control
software–to form a complex tool front-end. Chipmakers
today are seeking less complex, more reliable, more serviceable
solutions. Asyst’s new offering, the industry’s
first truly unified automated tool front-end system, is
designed to address these needs, and deliver industry-leading
configurability,
throughput, accuracy and particle performance. Mattson
will integrate the new front-end in its advanced RTP systems.
The successful integrated solution will offer a number
of
benefits to chip manufacturers, including optimized cleanroom
space, lower cost of ownership, and increased wafer throughput.
Stephen
Schwartz, chief executive officer of Asyst Technologies,
said, "The relationship between Mattson and Asyst goes
back many years and spans several generations of tool-loading
and atmospheric wafer-handling technology. We are extremely
pleased that Mattson has agreed to work with us in integrating
this entirely new technology with their advanced process
equipment. This alliance reflects both companies’ commitment
to providing high performance and high reliability while
improving overall cost of ownership to the end customer.”
"
We are committed to executing our technology roadmap
and optimizing manufacturing performance, while reducing
lead times and cost of ownership for our customers,” said
Robert MacKnight, chief operating officer of Mattson Technology. “This
joint development program with Asyst is one element of
our strategy to achieve these objectives. The development
alliance
leverages both companies’ strengths—Mattson’s
expertise in advanced RTP processes and Asyst’s in-depth
knowledge of SMIF and automation technologies—to
help us increase the value of our product offerings to
our global
customer base.”
This press release includes statements that are forward-looking,
such as statements regarding future product development
plans and anticipated product opportunities. Such statements
are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially from
the statements made. These factors include, but are not
limited
to, general economic conditions, semiconductor industry
cycles, risks and uncertainties associated with the development
of new technology and the acceptance of new products
and product capabilities and other factors more fully
detailed
in the Companies’ most recent 10-K and 10-Q reports
on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
About Asyst Technologies
Asyst Technologies, Inc.
is a leading provider of integrated automation solutions that enable
semiconductor manufacturers
to increase manufacturing productivity and protect investments
in silicon wafers during the manufacture of integrated
circuits, or ICs. The company offers a broad range of 200mm
and 300mm
solutions that enable the safe transfer of wafers and information
between process equipment and the fab line throughout the
IC fabrication process, while reducing IC damage caused
by human, environmental, mechanical and chemical factors.
Encompassing
isolation systems, work-in-process materials management,
substrate-handling robotics, automated transport and loading
systems, and connectivity automation software, Asyst’s
modular, interoperable solutions allow chipmakers and original
equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, to select and employ
the value-assured, hands-off manufacturing capabilities
that
best suit their needs. Asyst’s homepage is http://www.asyst.com
About Mattson Technology, Inc.
Mattson Technology, Inc. is a leading supplier of semiconductor
wafer processing equipment used in "front-end" fabrication
of integrated circuits. The company is a market leader in dry
strip and RTP equipment, and its products combine advanced process
technology on high-productivity platforms backed by industry-leading
support. Since beginning operations in 1989, the company’s
core vision has been to help bring technology leadership and
productivity gains to semiconductor manufacturers worldwide.
Headquartered in Fremont, Calif., the company maintains sales
and support centers throughout the United States, Europe and
Asia. For more information, please contact Mattson Technology,
Inc., 47131 Bayside Parkway, Fremont, Calif. 94538. Telephone:
(800) MATTSON/(510) 657-5900. Fax: (510) 492-5911. Internet:
www.mattson.com.
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