SEZ Group Received Multiple Order from Major Taiwanese Foundry

The SEZ Group announced that it has received a multiple system order for its Spin-Processor 4200, SEZ's high-throughput four-chamber tool. The order, valued at about CHF 10 million, was received from a major Taiwanese foundry that selected the single-wafer Spin-Processor 4200 for frontside processing of wafers (polymer removal after dry etching). Delivery is expected during the first half of 2001.

The new order confirms the high level of acceptance achieved by the SEZ Spin-Process-Technology in the international semiconductor market, particularly at silicon foundries producing for the international semiconductor industry. The present order comes from a customer in Taiwan, which has been using the SEZ Spin-Process-Technology since 1998, especially for the removal of backside films on 200 mm wafers and, more recently, on 300 mm wafers.

Record Order Backlog in Company's History
Order intake for 2000 continues to be strong, totalling CHF 224 million through October 31, 2000, as compared to the same period in 1999 when order intake stood at CHF 112 million. As of October 31, 2000, the company reported a record order backlog of CHF 125 million versus just CHF 63 million at the same time last year. From January to October 2000, the company has maintained a book to bill ratio of 1.49.
Sales for the same period of time jumped to CHF 151 million, an increase of 215 percent over reported sales from the previous year of CHF 48 million.
Sales forecast for this year is expected to be CHF 190 million with an EBIT margin of around 23% and a net profit margin of around 16%. Receipt of this order does not affect SEZ's sales forecast of CHF 260 million for 2001 with slightly higher profit margins.

The SEZ Group has succeeded in establishing its unrivalled spin process technology as a world industry standard. Pioneered by the Group, this wet-etching process is used for wafer surface preparation in the production of microchips. For further information please visit the SEZ website www.sez.com.

Released: November 27, 2000