BILTHOVEN, The Netherlands, Oct. 14, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- ASM Internatioanl N.V. (Nasdaq:ASMI) (Euronext Amsterdam:ASM) today announced that its 54%-owned subsidiary, ASM Pacific Technology, Ltd (Hong Kong Exchanges: 0522) received two orders for its IDEALine, an in-line, integrated-circuit assembly and packaging system, from two new customers. The U.S customer is one of the top five semiconductor companies in America. The lines are scheduled for installations in the United States and Taiwan during the fourth quarter of 2003. The integrated line consists of a die bonder, curing oven, multiple wire bonders and a glass attach system, all equipped with ASM's clean-cell for use on image-sensor products. Clean-cell is ASM's environmental protection system to achieve low particle count. ASM has not previously sold any assembly equipment to these customers. According to Patrick Lam, Managing Director of ASM Pacific Technology, Ltd., "These new customers concluded, after extensive evaluations of our die and wire bonders, that ASM offered the best total solution for their image-sensor chip production needs. With ASM's integration capabilities we are able to offer a clear differentiation from our competitors who only offer stand alone equipment." With an installed base of over 150 lines, ASM's IDEALine is the only fully integrated assembly, packaging and testing line in the industry. The modular lines integrate serial process steps with mechanical and software linkages and can reduce cycle time from days to hours. ASM currently has several integrated lines for assembly of image sensor products, typically used in cameras and cell phones, running volume production for many months at a major customer.
About ASM and ASMPT
ASM International N.V. is headquartered in Bilthoven, the Netherlands. ASM International is a global company, serving one of the most important and demanding industries in the world. The Company possesses a strong technological base, state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, a competent and qualified workforce and a highly trained, strategically distributed support network. ASM International's subsidiaries design and manufacture equipment and materials used to produce semiconductor devices. ASM International and its subsidiaries provide production solutions for wafer processing, assembly and packaging through their facilities in the United States, Europe, Japan and Asia. ASM International's common stock shares trade on Nasdaq (symbol ASMI) and the Euronext Stock Exchange in Amsterdam (symbol ASM). For more information, visit ASM's web site at http://www.asm.com
ASM Pacific Technology, Ltd. with headquarters in Hong Kong, has operations in Shenzhen China, Singapore and Malaysia. It is the world's largest supplier of a full line of assembly and packaging equipment for the semiconductor industry. It also supplies the Photonics and Optoelectronics markets. With its financial strength and R&D resources, ASMPT offers its customers total solutions in process innovations, package development and factory automation. ASMPT is 54%-owned by ASM International N.V. ASM Pacific Technology, Ltd. common shares trade on the Hong Kong Exchanges under the symbol: 0522. For more information, visit ASMPT's web site at www.asmpacific.com
Safe Harbor Statement under the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The matters discussed in this statement, except for any historical data, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These include, but are not limited to economic conditions in the semiconductor industry, currency fluctuations, the timing of significant orders, market acceptance of new products, competitive factors, risk factors related to litigation and other risks indicated in filings from time to time with the SEC and Stock Exchange Authorities.
ASM is a trademark of ASM International N.V.