BILTHOVEN, The Netherlands, April 17, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- ASM International N.V. (Nasdaq:ASMI) (Euronext Stock Exchange:ASM) and its subsidiary, ASM America, announced today that they have completed a volume purchase agreement with IQE plc, International Quantum Epitaxy (LSE), for the delivery of a substantial number of Epsilon(r) single wafer epitaxial tools. The Epsilon tools will be used to expand production capacity at IQE's custom silicon epitaxy facilities in Cardiff, Wales U.K. The expansion of this state-of-the-art facility will take place over the next several years.
Dr. Armand P. Ferro, ASM Epitaxial Business Unit Manager, stated, "Our agreement with IQE is the result of a cooperative relationship with IQE where specific epitaxial processing requirements and tool compatibility were shared. The Epsilon single wafer epitaxial tool is well suited for IQE's business, as it provides both the flexibility and the production reliability necessary for an epi wafer production facility."
Steve Byars, Managing Director IQE Europe, commented, "IQE Silicon Compounds Limited is very pleased to have the support of ASM in our new venture, and has entered into a volume purchase agreement. ASM is regarded by many in the industry as the Epi Reactor manufacturer of choice."
Alistair Hoy, Sales and Marketing Manager, added, "ASM has established a solid reputation as a quality equipment manufacturer within the mainstream silicon epitaxy sector, and I believe it is this reputation, coupled with IQE's unrivalled expertise in the compound epi-wafer process that has generated an extremely high level of interest amongst customers for our products and services based on silicon compounds."
ASM is a world-class supplier of single-wafer epitaxial tools and related semiconductor process equipment. ASM has been building and selling epitaxial reactors since 1987 and its Epsilon reactors are used in mass production by all major semiconductor device manufacturers and wafer suppliers worldwide.
ASM International N.V. is headquartered in Bilthoven, the Netherlands. ASM International's subsidiaries design, manufacture and market equipment and materials used to produce semiconductor devices. ASM International and its subsidiaries provide production solutions for wafer processing, assembly and packaging through its facilities in the United States, Europe, Japan and Asia. ASM International's common stock shares trade on Nasdaq (symbol ASMI) and the Euronext Stock Exchange in Amsterdam (symbol ASM). Additional information can be found on ASM's Website at http://www.asm.com.
Safe Harbor Statement under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The statements regarding orders, earnings development and the effects of research and new products on ASM's future, and other matters discussed in this statement, except for any historical data, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These include, but are not limited to, economic conditions in the semiconductor industry, currency fluctuations, the timing of significant orders, market acceptance of new products, competitive factors, risk factors related to litigation and other risks indicated in filings from time to time with the SEC and Stock Exchange Authorities.