GRENOBLE, France, Jan. 21, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Soitec (Paris Stock Exchange:SOIT), the world's leading supplier of S.O.I.* wafers, today announced consolidated sales of 26.8 million Euros for the third quarter of the year 2001/02, a growth of 100% compared with the third quarter 2000/01. Over the first nine months of the year 2001/02, sales rose by 126% to 64.7 million Euros.
(EUR m) Sales 2001/02 2000/01 Change First quarter 17.1 7.6 +125% Second quarter 20.8 7.6 +174% Third quarter 26.8 13.4 +100% First nine months 64.7 28.6 +126%
Soitec's financial year runs from April 1 to March 31.
As expected, Soitec recorded solid sales growth during the third quarter of the year 2001/02. Growth that continues to be driven by accelerating production customer demand and by significant increase in production volumes.
The market context during the third quarter was highly favourable, with a series of major announcements by manufacturers in favour of using S.O.I. in order to benefit from enhanced processor performance. Soitec covers about 80% of the S.O.I. market and continues to demonstrate the strength of its exclusive technology Smart Cut(r), which is particularly well suited to advanced applications.
There were no significant changes to the company's sales breakdown by wafer size or geographic customer location.
Also the third quarter was notable for the important announcement on November 12, 2001 that the company had signed a major contract with AMD (Advanced Micro Devices). AMD is to use S.O.I. for the manufacture of its 'Hammer' family of next-generation processors that are planned to be launched towards the end of 2002, and has chosen Soitec to secure the supply of material required for volume production.
This order is the culmination of several years of development work and will favourably impact Soitec's sales in line with the launch and subsequent volume ramp up of the Hammer family of products.
Outlook
The positive trend recorded by the S.O.I. market during the first nine months of Soitec's financial year is set to continue through the last quarter.
As announced earlier, complete 12-inch manufacturing capacity will have been installed during the fourth quarter resulting in an acceleration of 12-inch Smart Cut(r) wafer production.
Given the favourable market context and the recognition of Soitec's capacity by the major manufacturers, the company has revised its target for the 2001/02 financial year upwards and now forecasts full-year sales to be more than 90 million Euros. This growth should be accompanied by an improvement to full-year profitability compared with the previous financial year.
Furthermore, construction work at the Bernin 2 plant is progressing to schedule and Soitec confirms that this second production facility will come on stream in July 2002.
Reporting calendar
Full-year sales will be announced on Monday April 15, 2002 after the market close. The full-year results will be published on the morning of Monday May 13, 2002 before the market opens.
About Soitec
Soitec (Silicon-On-Insulator Technologies) is the world's leading manufacturer and supplier of S.O.I. wafers for the semi-conductor industry. Using Smart Cut(r) technology, Soitec produces an extensive range of fine layer advanced materials for microelectronics, including S.O.I. products (Unibond(r)) for microelectronics and silicon on quartz/glass wafers. Soitec is listed on the Nouveau Marche of Euronext Paris (Euroclear code 7206). Soitec warrants are also traded on the Nouveau Marche of Euronext Paris.
* Silicon On Insulator
Additional information can be obtained on the Website: www.soitec.com