SPTS Begins 2010 With Solid Q1 Shipments of $40M

NEWPORT, Wales, United Kingdom, April 12 /PRNewswire/ -- SPP Process Technology Systems Ltd. (SPTS), a subsidiary of Sumitomo Precision Products Co., Ltd. (SPP), today announced shipments of $40 million during the first quarter of 2010 (ending 31 March). SPTS was formed in October 2009 to merge Surface Technology Systems plc (STS) and assets acquired from Aviza Technology, Inc., including the single wafer process equipment subsidiary Aviza Technology Ltd. (ATL) and the Scotts Valley based thermal products business.

Q1 shipments included a broad range of etch, CVD, and PVD single wafer tools, as well as new and refurbished furnaces and thermal product upgrades.  In addition to strength in their traditional MEMS and image sensor markets, the TSV and compound semiconductor markets exhibited rapid growth, particularly in light emitting diode (LED) applications.  Of particular note was a resurgence of activity in STS brand products, accounting for a significant portion of the Q1 shipments.

"We see continuing strong customer interest in all product lines, with our system book to bill ratio in excess of 1.3:1 during the first quarter," remarked William Johnson, President and CEO of SPTS.  "In addition, as we complete the integration of our UK Division and relocate the Thermal Products Division to a new facility in San Jose during the second quarter, we expect to see significant improvement in gross margin and operating expense efficiency as we enter the second half of the year."

About SPP Process Technology Systems Ltd.

SPP Process Technology Systems Ltd. (SPTS) was formed by SPP to merge Surface Technology Systems plc, Aviza Technology Ltd., and certain Thermal Products business assets of Aviza Technology, Inc.  STS and ATL design, manufacture, sell and support advanced semiconductor capital equipment and process technologies for the global semiconductor industry and related markets.  These systems are used in a variety of segments, such as data storage, MEMS and nanotechnology, advanced 3-D packaging and power integrated circuits for communications.  The Thermal Products Division provides spare parts, upgrades, and new or remanufactured systems to existing customers of Watkins Johnson, SVG, and Aviza furnaces and APCVD systems, used primarily in the semiconductor industry.

SOURCE SPP Process Technology Systems