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Chip Equipment Maker SEZ Doubles Sales Forecast for 2000
The SEZ Group announced that as a result of the increasing industry acceptance of its Spin-Process cleaning technology for both 200mm and 300mm semiconductor wafer production, it has raised its sales forecast for 2000 from CHF 140 million (approximately USD 85 million) to CHF 160-170 million (approximately USD 97-103 million). This increase is based on purchase orders, letters of intent and strong purchase inquiries received so far this financial year, and represents double the net sales the company achieved in 1999.
"The increased worldwide acceptance of our innovative Spin-Processing technology for both 200 mm and 300 mm semiconductor production continues to drive our growth globally," noted Herwig Petschnig, COO of the SEZ Group. Petschnig added that the company's ability to rapidly expand its worldwide customer base by adding top customers in the North American and Southeast Asian marketplaces is also a key driver behind the company's success.
According to Petschnig, "The shift to 300 mm production is a major insertion point for SEZ's Spin-Processing wafer cleaning technology as new performance and productivity needs become evident. We have been able to lead our competitors in the 300 mm market, having delivered our first 300 mm tool in 1996 and having 300 mm systems installed in most 300 mm development and production lines worldwide. SEZ's products provide IC makers with major economic benefits and performance advantages over traditional cleaning processes, particularly for 300 mm."
"SEZ will continue its strategy to invest significantly in product development to meet the increasing demand from its growing semiconductor customer base," said Petschnig. "Tools, like the double-sided Spin-Processor that is currently in production-worthiness evaluation at a leading chip maker, are being designed to make SEZ the leading supplier to the mass market for wafer reclaim, polymer removal, pre-lithography and pre-diffusion cleans. Recent order wins show our significant penetration in the 300 mm market and we're confident that our upcoming product and process offerings will continue the company's growth."
The company has already beefed up its worldwide infrastructure to meet the growing demand for its products, including a facility expansion at its Villach, Austria headquarters. The expansion will double the company's production capacity by December of this year. The order backlog, as of May 31, 2000 is CHF 65.9 million (USD 39.2 million) and the company has maintained a book-to-bill ratio of 1.22 during the first five months of this year. The company's order intake for the same period of time was CHF 78.9 million (USD 47.7 million) and the company shipped CHF 64.2 million (USD 38.8 million).
SEZ is currently estimating a net profit margin of 16 percent, a one- percent increase over previous forecasts. The company has also raised its expected earnings per share from CHF 17.57 (USD 10.63) to CHF 20.08 to 21.33 (USD 12.15 to 12.90). These estimates take into account SEZ's capital increase that took place in April of this year.
About SEZ
The SEZ Group is a leading supplier of spin-processing equipment to the global semiconductor manufacturing industry. The company's breakthrough proprietary Spin-Processor technology forms the basis of a broad portfolio of backside and frontside wafer surface conditioning products for semiconductor chipmakers worldwide. SEZ maintains development, manufacturing, sales, marketing and service operations in Europe, Asia and North America. Registered in Zurich, Switzerland, SEZ Holding AG is listed on the Swiss Exchange under the symbol (SWX: SEZN).
Villach/Zurich, June 27, 2000
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