BILTHOVEN, The Netherlands, May 29, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- ASM International (Nasdaq:ASMI) (Euronext Amsterdam:ASM), a leader in deposition tools for manufacturing advanced semiconductor devices, today announced that it has contracted with Jvan An International Co., Ltd., the largest international logistic center in Taiwan, to open a bonded warehouse. This new facility will represent the regional hub of the ASM's distribution service for spare parts of its award winning vertical furnaces to customers in Asia.
The opening of the new ASM bonded warehouse is fully in line with the company's strategy for its operations in Asia, where many of ASM's key customers are located. Locating a spare parts distribution center in close proximity to the customer's facilities reinforces the company's commitment to continually provide superior service to all customers.
Jvan An International Co., Ltd., located in Tao-yuan, is presently the largest international logistic center in Taiwan. In addition to an ideal geographical location and a well-structured facility, it is designed to provide ASM customers with preferential service such as duty free customs for offshore storage, speedy customs clearance of goods and short delivery lead-times.
"The Asia Pacific region is home to many semiconductor facilities, spanning the full semiconductor value chain of activities, from research to full scale production," said Iain Wang, Acting Regional Manager at ASM Taiwan. "This warehouse is an example of ASM's ongoing investment in the region and this central shipping hub enhances ASM's long standing business commitment to provide superior customer service and support to its customers by expanding its business infrastructure to the regions where the customers are located."
ASM's vertical furnace, the A412(tm), is the first with a dual reactor, dual boat configuration, and has been selected by nearly half of all the 300mm fabs operating today. The first shipment of A412 warranty and order installation parts is planned to take place before the end of May.
About ASM
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
Safe Harbor Statement under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The statements regarding orders, earnings development and the effects of research and new products on ASM's future, and other 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 registered trademark, and A412 is a trademark of ASM International.