Integrated Materials Seeks Site For Asian Manufacturing And Support Center

Sunnyvale, CA -- Following the global launch of its SiFusion line of poly silicon furnaceware, Integrated Materials has begun a search for a new site for its Asian manufacturing and support center. Regions under consideration include Taiwan, Korea, Japan and Singapore, where market demand for SiFusion fixtures is rapidly increasing. This site-selection effort is part of Integrated Materials' growth strategy to coordinate and expand its service to Asian semiconductor manufacturers.

Integrated Materials' patented SiFusion technology allows for the manufacture of pure poly silicon fixtures for semiconductor furnace processes. It is also undergoing qualification by many semiconductor manufacturers, including those in the Pacific Rim.

A new corporate office in the Asia-Pacific region will offer Integrated Materials closer proximity to many of its customers and will allow it to continue to serve the region's concentration of semiconductor integrated device manufacturers (IDMs) and foundries. Currently sales representatives in each market handle the company's customer support.

Additionally, the new site will allow Integrated Materials to tap into the region's high-caliber engineering workforce, with training and experience in precision semiconductor manufacturing procedures, such as clean room practices, clean material handling and safety awareness.

"With our new Asia facility, fab customers can be confident that Integrated Materials will help them meet their growing challenges, such as the shift to 300 mm production and yield pressures," said Tom Cadwell, president and CEO for Integrated Materials. "SiFusion furnaceware continues to find acceptance by semiconductor fabs, and Integrated Materials will be ready to meet the growing market demand."

Integrated Materials expects to conclude the site selection process in the second half of 2006. At that time, Integrated Materials plans to begin construction of production facilities to better deliver on a global scale.

Integrated Materials' existing U.S. corporate facilities include a Class 100 Clean room, trained engineering and manufacturing personnel as well as the cleaning, bonding, analytical, assembly and precision machining equipment required in all SiFusion's poly silicon products.

With its SiFusion furnaceware, Integrated Materials is the first company to perfect the fabrication of pure poly silicon fused structures for semiconductor fabrication furnaces. Process benefits for poly silicon fixtures over quartz and silicon carbide include fewer particles, reduced trace metal contamination, virtual elimination of wafer damage (slip), and no routine cleaning. The SiFusion suite of boats, pedestals, towers and injectors is designed to work with all major vertical furnace designs in both 200 and 300 mm operations.

SOURCE: Integrated Materials, Inc.