INFICON FabGuard Sensor Integration and Analysis System Used by International SEMATECH; FabGuard Qualifies Performance of 300mm Wafer Manufacturing Equipment
SYRACUSE, N.Y. & ZURICH, Switzerland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 25, 2001--INFICON Holding AG (Swiss Exchange SWX and NASDAQ: IFCN), a leading developer, supplier, and manufacturer of vacuum instrumentation for the semiconductor and related markets and a worldwide leader in vacuum instrumentation for industrial applications, today announced that International SEMATECH, the global consortium of semiconductor companies, is using the INFICON FabGuard Sensor Integration and Analysis System to assist in developing process optimization techniques for semiconductor manufacturing and improving understanding of the performance of a new 300mm implanter.
FabGuard, a fully automated, real-time early fault detection and analysis system for improving semiconductor equipment and process productivity, is capable of "smart diagnostics." It allows for intelligent integration and analysis routines to better maintain process conditions in semiconductor manufacturing.
"As we ramp to 300mm and to new technology nodes in our Advanced Technology Development Facility, process control becomes even more critical," said Gerry Moore, Equipment Engineering Maintenance Supervisor at International SEMATECH. "It's important to detect faults early, and analyze them real-time in order to boost productivity and minimize downtime."
James L. Brissenden, president and chief executive officer of INFICON, said, "By contributing to International SEMATECH's efforts to understand how equipment can reach full potential, INFICON is advancing its market share in advanced process control and factory integration software. FabGuard has already proven useful in reducing costs and improving performance for semiconductor manufacturers with its real-time data collection from process tools, utilizing advanced fault detection, process diagnostics, and process completion algorithms.
ABOUT INFICON
INFICON is a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of vacuum instrumentation used for analysis, monitoring, measurement and control by manufacturers to improve the productivity of their production processes and the quality of their products. INFICON provides the semiconductor and semiconductor-related industries with products used in the manufacturing of semiconductor chips, flat screen televisions and monitors, computer disc drive components, various electronic storage media, such as compact discs, digital video discs and floppy discs. The Company also sells products to the vacuum coatings, air conditioning/refrigeration, automotive, and industrial markets. Headquartered in Syracuse, New York, INFICON has manufacturing facilities in the United States and Europe and worldwide offices in the U.S., China, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Liechtenstein, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. For more information about INFICON and its products, please visit the Company's web site at www.inficon.com.
This press release and oral statements or other written statements made, or to be made, by us contain forward-looking statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts. Forward looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "believe", "will", "expect", "project", "assume", "estimate", "anticipate", "plan" or "continue". These forward-looking statements address, among other things, our strategic objectives, trends in vacuum technology and in the industries that employ vacuum instrumentation, such as the semiconductor and related industries and the anticipated effects of these trends on our business. These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of our management and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect our current plans and expectations, as well as future results of operations and financial condition. Some of these risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for fiscal 2000 and Form 6-K for the quarter ended June 30, 2001.
As a consequence, our current and anticipated plans and our future prospects, results of operations and financial condition may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of our company. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
CONTACT:
Corporate Contact:
INFICON Holding AG,
Betty Ann Kram, +1.315.434.1122,
Director of Corporate Communications
and Investor Relations,
BettyAnn.Kram@inficon.com
or
European Contact:
Peter Butikofer & Company,
Bernhard Schweizer, +1.41.1.447.1220,
bschweizer@buetikofer.ch
or
North American Contact:
Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates, Inc.,
Jody Burfening/Sanjay Hurry,
+1.212.838.3777,
jbs@lhai.com
FabGuard, a fully automated, real-time early fault detection and analysis system for improving semiconductor equipment and process productivity, is capable of "smart diagnostics." It allows for intelligent integration and analysis routines to better maintain process conditions in semiconductor manufacturing.
"As we ramp to 300mm and to new technology nodes in our Advanced Technology Development Facility, process control becomes even more critical," said Gerry Moore, Equipment Engineering Maintenance Supervisor at International SEMATECH. "It's important to detect faults early, and analyze them real-time in order to boost productivity and minimize downtime."
James L. Brissenden, president and chief executive officer of INFICON, said, "By contributing to International SEMATECH's efforts to understand how equipment can reach full potential, INFICON is advancing its market share in advanced process control and factory integration software. FabGuard has already proven useful in reducing costs and improving performance for semiconductor manufacturers with its real-time data collection from process tools, utilizing advanced fault detection, process diagnostics, and process completion algorithms.
ABOUT INFICON
INFICON is a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of vacuum instrumentation used for analysis, monitoring, measurement and control by manufacturers to improve the productivity of their production processes and the quality of their products. INFICON provides the semiconductor and semiconductor-related industries with products used in the manufacturing of semiconductor chips, flat screen televisions and monitors, computer disc drive components, various electronic storage media, such as compact discs, digital video discs and floppy discs. The Company also sells products to the vacuum coatings, air conditioning/refrigeration, automotive, and industrial markets. Headquartered in Syracuse, New York, INFICON has manufacturing facilities in the United States and Europe and worldwide offices in the U.S., China, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Liechtenstein, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. For more information about INFICON and its products, please visit the Company's web site at www.inficon.com.
This press release and oral statements or other written statements made, or to be made, by us contain forward-looking statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts. Forward looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "believe", "will", "expect", "project", "assume", "estimate", "anticipate", "plan" or "continue". These forward-looking statements address, among other things, our strategic objectives, trends in vacuum technology and in the industries that employ vacuum instrumentation, such as the semiconductor and related industries and the anticipated effects of these trends on our business. These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of our management and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect our current plans and expectations, as well as future results of operations and financial condition. Some of these risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for fiscal 2000 and Form 6-K for the quarter ended June 30, 2001.
As a consequence, our current and anticipated plans and our future prospects, results of operations and financial condition may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of our company. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
CONTACT:
Corporate Contact:
INFICON Holding AG,
Betty Ann Kram, +1.315.434.1122,
Director of Corporate Communications
and Investor Relations,
BettyAnn.Kram@inficon.com
or
European Contact:
Peter Butikofer & Company,
Bernhard Schweizer, +1.41.1.447.1220,
bschweizer@buetikofer.ch
or
North American Contact:
Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates, Inc.,
Jody Burfening/Sanjay Hurry,
+1.212.838.3777,
jbs@lhai.com