SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun. 23, 2009--
Applied Materials, Inc. and Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd. (Screen)
today announced that they have signed an agreement to revise the
ownership structure of their joint venture company, Sokudo Co., Ltd.
Under the agreement, Screen will own 81% of the coat/develop track
system company and operate it as a subsidiary, and Applied Materials
will retain a 19% interest, down from its original 48% interest. This
new structure will more accurately reflect the ongoing contributions
from both shareholders.
In response to the significantly weakened market for semiconductor
equipment, Sokudo’s global sales and service operations will be
streamlined to be more efficient in this business environment. Applied
Materials will continue to support Sokudo with key management, customer
support, and product development as part of its commitment to both
Screen and the companies’ shared customer base. Applied is also working
closely with Sokudo and Screen at its Maydan Technology Center and
expects this alliance to provide further opportunities for future
collaboration.
Since the formation of the joint venture three years ago, Sokudo has
built a solid position in the coat/develop track market based on its
introduction of several significant products, beginning with the Sokudo
RF3S system. Most recently, using the combined strengths of
Screen and Applied Materials, Sokudo introduced the breakthrough SOKUDO
DUO system, which provides customers with the world’s first dual-track
system for high productivity processing.
Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd. was established in 1943 and is a
top 10 supplier of semiconductor fabrication equipment, specializing in
wafer cleaning systems, coater/developer track equipment, and
next-generation flash anneal tools. Dainippon Screen is a public company
quoted on the Tokyo Stock exchange (TOKYO:7735). Its website is www.screen.co.jp.
Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAT) is the global leader in
Nanomanufacturing Technology™ solutions with a broad portfolio of
innovative equipment, service and software products for the fabrication
of semiconductor chips, flat panel displays, solar photovoltaic cells,
flexible electronics and energy efficient glass. At Applied Materials,
we apply Nanomanufacturing Technology to improve the way people live.
Learn more at www.appliedmaterials.com.
Source: Applied Materials, Inc.
For Applied Materials, Inc.
Betty Newboe, 408-563-0647 (technical
media)
David Miller, 408-563-9582 (business media)
Michael
Sullivan, 408-986-7977 (financial community)
Yuri Ohashi,
+81-3-6812-6801 (media contact in Japan)
