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SEZ Continues Global Expansion with Launch of SEZ Japan
VILLACH, Austria, July 5, 2000 - The SEZ Group (SWX: SEZN) has announced a further expansion of its global sales and service support with its majority takeover of SEZ Japan, a joint venture with Sumisho Electronic Devices. The move, which gives SEZ offices in Tokyo and Nagaoka, further strengthens SEZ's presence in Asia, which already includes a location in Singapore and local representatives in Taiwan and South Korea.
"We already have a significant client base in Japan, including the top ten Japanese chip manufacturers. The top three Japanese chip manufacturers currently account for the majority of our installed tool base and the future growth potential in the market is virtually unlimited," explained Herwig Petschnig, COO of the SEZ Group. "Our decision to strengthen our full-service Japanese support office here is based on our corporate commitment to provide the best service and support possible around the globe."
"In addition to our local support of the Japanese semiconductor market, the full integration of our organization into the worldwide SEZ Group will help SEZ Japan flourish in the future," said Shinji Nagatani, member of the board of directors for SEZ Japan and departing chairman of the former joint venture.
Prior to the takeover, SEZ AG held a minority stake in the joint venture with Sumisho Electronics Devices. As of July 1, 2000, SEZ AG became the primary partner in the joint venture with 80 percent ownership and took over the existing infrastructure and personnel in Japan. The two offices, which have a total of 49 employees, will be responsible for all local sales and field support. This brings the number of staff employed by SEZ worldwide to 420.
Petschnig added, "Japan has always been an important market for our spin-processing equipment and we expect to increase our presence there as the industry changes to 300 mm." SEZ Japan will support all of SEZ's tools, including Spin-Processor 101, the Spin-Processor 203 and the Spin-Processor 304 for 300 mm development and production. The company currently has 100 systems installed in Japan, including 200 mm and 300 mm systems.
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).
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