+44 (0)24 7671 8970
More publications     •     Advertise with us     •     Contact us
*/
News Article

Formation of Sokudo Company Complete

News
Applied Materials, Inc. and Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd. (Screen) have announced that they have completed the formation of Sokudo Co., Ltd., a joint venture company.
Sokudo, headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, is 52% owned by Screen and 48% owned by Applied Materials. Screen's existing track business and related intellectual property, including employees, products and its installed base of systems, are being transferred to Sokudo.

Applied Materials contributed 16.6 billion Yen (approximately US$151 million) to Sokudo and is transferring technology, related intellectual property and key development employees to the new company.

"This joint venture demonstrates a strong commitment from both companies to provide our customers with innovative track solutions to meet the challenges of nanometer-scale manufacturing," said Mike Splinter, CEO and president of Applied Materials. "Combining Applied and Screen's talents and resources will allow us to create advanced, highly competitive products with new levels of performance in a shorter timeframe. These track products will also enhance Applied's expanding portfolio of lithography-enabling solutions."

Sokudo's chief executive officer is Takashige Suetake, executive vice chairman of Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd. and president of Screen's Semiconductor Equipment Company.

"Sokudo combines coat/develop track development and production expertise cultivated over many years by Screen with Applied Materials' advanced product technology and expertise," commented Mr. Suetake.

Sokudo's Board of Directors includes Takashige Suetake; Mike Splinter; Menachem Erad, group vice president and chief of staff of Applied Materials; Farhad Moghadam, senior vice president and general manager of Applied's Thin Films Group; Masahiro Hashimoto, representative director and COO of Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.; and Tadahiro Suhara, corporate officer of Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd. and vice president of Semiconductor Equipment Company.

According to market researcher Gartner Dataquest, the market for track systems was estimated to be $1.4 billion in 2005 and is forecast to grow to nearly $2.0 billion in 2008.

×
Search the news archive

To close this popup you can press escape or click the close icon.
Logo
×
Logo
×
Register - Step 1

You may choose to subscribe to the Silicon Semiconductor Magazine, the Silicon Semiconductor Newsletter, or both. You may also request additional information if required, before submitting your application.


Please subscribe me to:

 

You chose the industry type of "Other"

Please enter the industry that you work in:
Please enter the industry that you work in: