Increased adoption of electronics in automobiles contributes to high growth in automotive semiconductor market
Flanders, New Jersey (January 11, 2011)—Rudolph Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: RTEC), a leading provider of process characterization equipment and software for the semiconductor manufacturing industry, announced today that it has received multiple orders for its NSX® Inspection System from a major European semiconductor manufacturer. The equipment will be used in back-end manufacturing for high-throughput inspection of automotive semiconductor devices at key points in the process. Shipments will commence in 1Q11 and continue through 2Q11.
“Rudolph inspection systems are used to inspect devices deployed by most of the European automakers,” said Rajiv Roy, Rudolph’s vice president of business development and director of back-end marketing. “Semiconductors used in automobiles are subjected to large variations in temperature, humidity and mechanical stress, making inspection for defects particularly important. Since the automotive semiconductor market is focused on providing its products with zero defects, we have seen an increasing use of our tools for these types of applications.”
The semiconductor content in automobiles is growing rapidly and is now found in nearly every major subsystem including control, comfort, safety, emissions, audio and navigation.
“Automotive semiconductor makers have discovered that the earlier a defect is detected in the wafer manufacturing process, the cheaper it is to resolve yield-killing fabrication problems,” Roy continued. “This results in a higher quality product for their customers.”
Rudolph offers a complete line of inspection and metrology systems for semiconductor manufacturing applications. The NSX115 Automated Inspection System is optimized specifically for the back-end manufacturing environment, and offers high throughput and extensive flexibility in the detection and analysis of macro defects created during wafer manufacturing, probing, bumping, dicing or in general handling.
The open architecture and scalable system provided by Rudolph’s Discover® Yield Management Software on the NSX System can encompass all inspection tools on the fab floor. It is designed to efficiently analyze the tremendous volume of data generated by high-speed inspection tools, and identify significant events, such as process excursions, and provide process engineers with the information required to optimize the manufacturing process.
Rudolph Technologies, Inc. is a worldwide leader in the design, development, manufacture and support of defect inspection, process control metrology, and data analysis systems and software used by semiconductor device manufacturers worldwide. Rudolph provides a full-fab solution through its families of proprietary products that provide critical yield-enhancing information, enabling microelectronic device manufacturers to drive down the costs and time to market of their products. The company’s yield management solutions are used in both the wafer processing and final manufacturing of ICs, as well as in emerging markets such as LED and Solar. Headquartered in Flanders, New Jersey, Rudolph supports its customers with a worldwide sales and service organization. Additional information can be found on the company’s web site at www.rudolphtech.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”) which include demand for Rudolph’s products, Rudolph’s existing market position and its ability to maintain and advance such position relative to its competitors and Rudolph’s expectations about our future bookings and backlog as well as other matters that are not purely historical data. Rudolph wishes to take advantage of the “safe harbor” provided for by the Act and cautions that actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of various factors, including risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Rudolph’s control. Such factors include, but are not limited to, delays in shipping products for technical performance, component supply or other reasons, the company’s ability to leverage its resources to improve its positions in its core markets and fluctuations in customer capital spending. Additional information and considerations regarding the risks faced by Rudolph are available in Rudolph’s Form 10-K report for the year ended December 31, 2009 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As the forward-looking statements are based on Rudolph’s current expectations, the company cannot guarantee any related future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Rudolph does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press release.
For more information, please contact:
Investors:
Steven R. Roth
973.448.4302
steven.roth@rudolphtech.com
Trade Press:
Virginia Becker
952.259.1647
virginia.becker@rudolphtech.com