MicroProbe Establishes Direct Presence in Korea


SUWON, KOREA and SAN JOSE, CA--(Marketwire - January 7, 2011) - MicroProbe, a leading supplier of wafer test technology to the global semiconductor industry, today expanded its operations in Asia by opening a full-service support and sales office in Suwon, Korea. The new location will support the company's increasing installed base and sales activities in the region. To mark the occasion, MicroProbe's CEO, Mike Slessor, will welcome customers, suppliers and friends at an open house celebration to be held this evening at the new facility. 

For more than three decades, MicroProbe has provided advanced probe card technology to leading semiconductor manufacturers throughout Asia, as well as Europe and the US. In the last two years, demand has been especially strong in Asia and notably Korea. During this time, the company doubled the number of SoC [System-on-Chip] probe cards shipped to customers in the region. The growth pace is likely to continue. Gartner Dataquest* expects that the Asia/Pacific semiconductor market will hit about $213 billion by 2013 -- up from the 2010 figure of $175.8 billion.

To support this regional demand, MicroProbe has invested in a similar support and repair facility in Hsinchu, Taiwan, along with a manufacturing facility in Suzhou, China and a sales office in Tokyo, Japan. The new office in Suwon consolidates MicroProbe's Korea activities in one central location and strengthens the company's local service and support capabilities. Moreover, it enables MicroProbe to expand relationships with its Korean vendors and partners.

"Korea is a very important region for MicroProbe," said the company's CEO, Mike Slessor. "While we've been active in the region for some time, the rapid emergence of Korea's SoC and foundry businesses is a trend we're especially excited to see. With our new facility, we're able to support our customers with a quick local response, ensuring that MicroProbe's advanced probe card products deliver on the promise of lower cost and higher value to our customers' test operations."

* Source: Semiconductor Industry Asia/Pacific: Forecast Database, September 2010, authored by: Philip Koh, Ben Lee, Ganesh Ramamoorthy, Oliver Xu and Nolan Reilly.

About MicroProbe
MicroProbe provides advanced wafer test solutions to global semiconductor manufacturers. The company's probe card technologies and products lower the overall cost of test by delivering higher yield and throughput, and better quality die. Headquartered in California, MicroProbe maintains a network of manufacturing, sales and support operations worldwide. The company is privately held with investors that include Flywheel Ventures, Intel Capital and Gemini Investors. For more information about MicroProbe, please visit the company website at www.microprobe.com.

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