BILTHOVEN, The Netherlands, Jan. 16, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- ASM International N.V. (Nasdaq:ASMI) (Euronext Stock Exchange in Amsterdam:ASM) said today that its 2003 fourth quarter order intake was Euro 245 million, 87% ahead of the third quarter's actual order intake of Euro 131 million and the highest level of quarterly new orders since the 3rd quarter of 2000. Both Front-end and Back-end operations recorded significant bookings increases in the fourth quarter. The Company stated that the improved and accelerating level of activity is encouraging for ASMI's performance in 2004. More information about ASMI's bookings will be provided by the Company when it reports 2003 consolidated operating results on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 and in its investor conference call/web cast on Wednesday, February 25, 2004.
About ASM
ASM International N.V. headquartered in Bilthoven, the Netherlands, is a global company servicing one of the most important and demanding industries in the world. The Company possesses a strong technology base, state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, a competent and qualified workforce and a highly trained, strategically distributed support network. ASM International and its subsidiaries design and manufacture equipment and materials used to produce semiconductor devices. ASM International and its subsidiaries provide production solutions for wafer processing (Front-end segment) as well as assembly and packaging (Back-end segment) through facilities in the United States, Europe, Japan and Asia. ASM International's common stock trades on Nasdaq (symbol ASMI) and the Euronext Amsterdam Stock Exchange (symbol ASM). For more information, visit ASMI's website at http://www.asm.com.
Safe Harbor Statement under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: All 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 and trends in the semiconductor industry, currency fluctuations, the timing of significant orders, market acceptance of new products, competitive factors, litigation involving intellectual property, shareholder and other issues, commercial and economic disruption due to terrorist activity, armed conflict or political instability and other risks indicated in the Company's filings from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Authorities.
ASM is a registered trademark of ASM International N.V.