CHANDLER, Ariz., May 17, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Zurichkirch Corp. (OTCBB:ZUKH), a publicly traded shell, has acquired Aspect Semiquip International (ASI), a leading manufacturer of capital equipment used in the production of semiconductor devices ("chips"), in a tax-free exchange of stock, announced today.
Douglas Dixon, ASI Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "By placing ASI in the public market through Zurichkirch Corp./ DND Technologies, Inc., we have provided the vehicle to achieve strategic financial support for many of our key projects. Over the next six months and beyond, ASI will be announcing these projects, as they are ready to release to the marketplace. Over the past twelve years of ASI's existence, the company has shown the capability to grow profitably during the up cycles of our market and has been able to survive the worst down turn in our industry history."
"Going forward," Dixon continued, "DND Technologies intends to invest in several additional companies that have shown the ability not only to survive the down cycles of our industry but have grown profitably."
At completion of the merger, for which ASI received 18 million common shares of Zurichkirch, Zurichkirch will change its name to DND Technologies, Inc., and will request a trading symbol change. ASI is an internationally recognized supplier of re-manufactured single chamber dry etch equipment, re-manufactured process chillers, etch-system consumables, spares and sub assemblies for Lam Research Corporation AutoEtch(tm) and Rainbow(tm) and TCP(tm) etch tools, as well as their own line of single-chamber etch equipment.
John Chris Kirch, President of Zurichkirch, noted, "ASI is one of the fastest-growing and most technologically innovative companies in its field. We are pleased to be associated with them."
Aspect Semiquip currently serves over 90 clients, including Motorola, ST Microelectronics, Texas Instruments, National Semiconductor, and Phillips Semiconductor.
This press release includes forward-looking statements related to the Company that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These forward-looking statements are made in reliance on the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. For further information about these factors that could affect the Company's future results, please see the Company's recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Prospective investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from management expectations.