BERNIN, France, April 15, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Soitec, the world's leading supplier of SOI* wafers today announced consolidated sales of 93.5 million Euro for the financial year ended March 31, 2002. This represents a growth of 116% over the prior year.
(million Euro) Sales 2001/02 2000/01 First quarter 17.1 7.6 Second quarter 20.8 7.6 Third quarter 26.8 13.4 Fourth quarter 28.8 14.7 Full-year 93.5 43.3
Soitec's financial year runs from April 1 to March 31.
Continuing sales growth
In line with its forecast, Soitec maintained its strong growth rate in the fourth quarter of the year 2001/02, registering sales of 28.8 million Euro, a growth of 96% over the fourth quarter of the year 2000/01.
This performance reflects a significant increase in wafers delivered, in response to the increasing demand from customers in production. Soitec confirms that 300 mm wafers manufactured for the first time in Bernin 1 were delivered in the fourth quarter to certain key customers.
In the full-year 2001/02, the breakdown of sales by wafer size and geographic customer location did not change substantially. 200 mm wafers accounted for 70% of total sales.
Ongoing development of the S.O.I. market
Recent announcements in the semiconductor industry show that the very positive 2001 trend in the S.O.I. market is continuing in 2002.
At the same time as AMD announced a major contract with Soitec in November 2001, Intel changed its stance, and indicated that it would base its next generation of processors on S.O.I. technology.
Similarly, Oki Electric Co Ltd, a leading Japanese telecoms hardware firm, announced in February 2002 that it had chosen S.O.I. and Soitec's technology to produce, for the first time anywhere in the world, advanced microchips for commercial applications such as wireless local-area network (LAN) devices and high-precision wristwatches.
In addition, IBM, Sony and Toshiba have recently indicated that they are strengthening their microchip alliance, in order to develop new semiconductor manufacturing procedures using 300 mm S.O.I. wafers. These wafers will for example be used by Sony for its future Playstation 3 console.
Finally, TSMC, the world's largest semiconductor foundry, has just disclosed that it intends to enter the emerging S.O.I. foundry market.
Outlook
Soitec confirms that the full year sales for 2001/02 will lead to a significant rise in full-year profits compared with the previous year.
The company also confirms that 2002/03 will mark a new stage in its development, particularly with the opening of the Bernin 2 production site in July 2002.
Soitec's lawsuit against Silicon Genesis
Following the decision of the American jury on April 1 2002 regarding Soitec's patent infringement lawsuit against the American company Silicon Genesis, Soitec notes that the court has yet to render its official judgement.
Soitec highlights the fact that its Smart Cut(r) technology is covered by a full range of patents in addition to the one involved in this lawsuit. The company emphasises that this lawsuit does not cast any doubt on its technology, its expertise or its ability to meet market requirements in terms of production capacity.
Calendar
Full-year 2001/02 results will be published on Monday May 13 2002 before the market opens.
About Soitec
Soitec (Silicon-On-Insulator Technologies) is the world's leading manufacturer and supplier of SOI wafers for the semi-conductor industry. Using Smart Cut(r) technology, Soitec produces an extensive range of fine layer advanced materials for microelectronics, including SOI 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 and OCEANE bonds are also traded on the Nouveau Marche of Euronext Paris.
* Silicon On Insulator
For further information, please contact:
Investor relations Press Soitec Gavin Anderson & Company Iain Murray Florence Laroche Tel: +33 4 76 92 75 02 Tel: +33 1 53 83 93 13 Email: investors@soitec.fr Email: flaroche@gavinanderson.fr
Additional information can be found on the website: www.soitec.com