MATTSON TECHNOLOGY REFINES
STRATEGIC FOCUS
Announces Divestiture Of Wet Business Unit
FREMONT, Calif.- February 12, 2003 - Mattson Technology,
Inc. (NASDAQ: MTSN), a leading supplier of advanced process
equipment used to manufacture semiconductors, today announced
that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its Wet
Products Division to SCP Global Technologies, a leading wet
processing equipment provider. The sale, which is subject
to certain closing conditions, is anticipated to close in
the first quarter of 2003.
The transaction involves the transfer of certain subsidiaries,
assets and intellectual property related to the Wet Products
Division. As part of the transaction, Mattson Technology
will retain the rights to all future royalty and settlement
payments under previously announced agreements with Dainippon
Screen Manufacturing Co., Ltd. The transfer of the Wet Products
Division will result in a one time restructuring charge for
Mattson.
“The divestiture of our Wet Products Division is a
key component in the strategy we adopted in 2002 to focus
on driving core technologies to market leadership, “ said
David L. Dutton, chief executive officer of Mattson Technology. “This
transaction reinforces our strategic focus on extending our
leadership in next-generation RTP and strip solutions and
strengthens SCP’s position in the wet clean market.
The transfer of our wet operations to SCP will also help
to ensure that our customers continue to benefit from our
established wet technology. This is clearly a win-win for
all parties.”
In connection with this transaction, Mattson Technology
and SCP are in discussions to form a strategic alliance to
develop integrated cleaning technologies for transistor formation,
post-etch and implant process wafer cleaning and pre-thermal
wafer process cleaning. The combined expertise of the two
companies will strengthen their collective capabilities to
provide integrated wet cleaning and “dry” process
technologies that will enable customers to maximize their
process performance results. Under the alliance, Mattson
and SCP will cross license intellectual property, which they
believe will significantly increase each of their development
efficiencies and enable them to optimize the value and “time
to market” of projects they jointly develop.
“Our planned strategic alliance with SCP is an extension
of our long-term objective to provide customers with leading
process technology and critical integrated solutions,” said
Dutton. “We are strongly committed to working with
our strategic partner to ensure the success of the joint
development and maximize the value to all of our stakeholders.”
"The combination of our resources and Mattson Technology’s
established wet technology will create a very strong number
two provider in the wet cleaning equipment market,” said
Mark Peterson, chief executive officer and president of SCP. "We
are working with strategic investment partners to ensure
that this new business has the appropriate financial backing
to strengthen our leadership position in the wet processing
arena. SCP’s and Mattson's commitment to customers
is paramount in this deal, and we are working together to
provide a seamless transition to help ensure that our customers
receive continued availability of systems, support and spares.”
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding,
among other matters, the Company's future development efforts.
Forward looking statements address matters that are subject
to a number of risks and uncertainties that can cause actual
results to differ materially. In addition to the general
risks associated with the slowdown in the semiconductor industry
and development of complex technology, our future results
will depend on a variety of factors, including the timing
of significant orders, our ability to timely manufacture
and deliver ordered products, our ability to bring new systems
to market, the timing of new product releases by our competitors,
our ability to reduce cost in response to market conditions,
and other competitive factors. Reference is made to the Company's
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for further
discussion of risks and uncertainties regarding the Company's
business. The Company assumes no obligation to update the
information in this press release.
About SCP Global Technologies
For over 25 years, SCP Global Technologies has been an industry
leader in the development of wet processing equipment used
in the manufacture of semiconductor wafers. The company continues
its commitment to being the worldwide leader in the supply
of cost-effective surface preparation technology, systems
and services to the semiconductor and related industries.
For further information regarding SCP, access the company’s
web site at www.scpglobal.com. www.scpglobal.com
About Mattson Technology, Inc.
Mattson Technology, Inc. is a leading supplier of semiconductor
wafer processing equipment used in "front-end" fabrication
of integrated circuits. The company is a market leader
in dry strip and RTP equipment, and its products combine
advanced process technology on high-productivity platforms
backed by industry-leading support. Since beginning operations
in 1989, the company’s core vision has been to help
bring technology leadership and productivity gains to semiconductor
manufacturers worldwide. Headquartered in Fremont, Calif.,
the company maintains sales and support centers throughout
the United States, Europe and Asia. For more information,
please contact Mattson Technology, Inc., 47131 Bayside
Parkway, Fremont, Calif. 94538. Telephone: (800) MATTSON/(510)
657-5900. Fax: (510) 492-5911. Internet: www.mattson.com.
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