Dec 11 2015
Ultratech, Inc., a leading supplier of lithography, laser-processing and inspection systems used to manufacture semiconductor devices and high-brightness LEDs (HB-LEDs), as well as atomic layer deposition (ALD) systems, today announced that it has received a multiple-system, follow-on order for its LSA101 laser spike anneal systems. Ultratech's customer plans to use the LSA101 systems for production at its facility in Asia.
This multi-system order is an example of Ultratech's commitment to developing leading technology that provides its global customers with cost and competitive advantages for advanced manufacturing. Ultratech expects to begin shipping the LSA systems from this order in the first quarter of 2016.
Additionally, Ultratech is conducting a review of its Board of Directors with the intention of refreshment to increase stockholder value. The goal of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is to appoint one or more new Board members with technological expertise.
"Today's foundries are operating in an increasingly challenging landscape, resulting in a stringent selection process for choosing advanced manufacturing equipment that can provide competitive advantages. Leading technologies such as LSA provide a path to improving device performance and are critical for meeting the requirements for device scaling at advanced nodes," said Arthur W. Zafiropoulo, Ultratech Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "To help our customers meet their aggressive technology and product roadmaps we have been working closely with them to provide the most advanced annealing technology with our LSA systems. This multiple-system, follow-on order further validates the capability of Ultratech's LSA systems to provide cost and competitive technology advantages that enable the production of today's and tomorrow's most advanced devices. We look forward to furthering our relationship as well as enabling the business success of this valued customer."
"In addition, we are committed to increasing stockholder value and believe that a Board refreshment will help to ensure that we are acting in the best interest of stockholders," continued Mr. Zafiropoulo.
Ultratech Laser Spike Anneal Systems
The LSA scanning systems have fundamental technical advantages in uniformity, lowest consumable cost, and provide a low-stress processing solution built on the flexible Unity Platform™. The systems' flexible capability and short dwell time, along with excellent process control, delivers superior within-die uniformity and layout-independent process results allowing customers to achieve improved device performance, lower leakage, and improved yield. Ultratech's flagship platform, the LSA101, delivers extendibility for advanced annealing applications, including advanced finFETs. The LSA101 systems are currently in high-volume production for all nodes, including 14-nm, 20-nm, and 28-nm devices.
Board Refreshment
As part of Ultratech's continued focus on increasing stockholder value, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is in the process of identifying new directors for Ultratech's Board. The Committee's goal is to appoint one or more new Board members, including current or recently retired senior level executives with technological expertise. These new Board members will either be additive to or will replace one or more of Ultratech's current directors and the search is expected to continue over the next few months.
Ultratech has a long history of refreshing the Board to align directors' experience and capabilities with Ultratech's business. From time to time, Ultratech has appointed new independent directors, not including the current search. After completion of the current search, the Committee anticipates continuing to identify additional new director candidates as Ultratech continues to execute on its business strategy.