SPP Process Technology Systems (SPTS), a subsidiary of Sumitomo Precision Products Co., Ltd. (SPP), celebrates one year since it began operations in November 2009, while opening its new San Jose office. The new facility serves as home to SPTS’ Thermal Products Division and North American sales and support headquarters.
Following the acquisition of Aviza Technology assets by Sumitomo Precision Products (SPP) and subsequent integration with Surface Technology Systems (STS) into SPTS, the company has grown 50% faster than the estimated 130% growth of the global wafer fabrication equipment segment during the past year. The company’s Single Wafer and Thermal Products divisions derive approximately 80 percent of current business from four major market segments: advanced packaging including through-silicon via (TSV) and wafer level packaging, compound semiconductor including high speed electronics and light-emitting diodes (LEDs), power semiconductors, and micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS).
“2010 has been a very good year for us,” said William Johnson, president and CEO of SPTS. “With less than two months left in 2010, we are on course to triple our revenue compared to the combined pre-acquisition entities in 2009. To attain this growth in 12 months while simultaneously completing the company and product integration is a tremendous achievement, and a testament to the hard work of our employees, plus the strong support of our global customers.” A new record of more than 40 new customer or technology wins in 2010 is a highlight of the company’s rapid growth.
“I am proud that our team has created such an amazing growth story in 12 short months,” commented Susumu Kaminaga, chairman of SPTS, and president of SPP. “SPTS grew one-and-a-half times faster than the next vendor in our peer group, and I am deeply proud to witness this success, while seeing new penetrations in our chosen market segments.”
Building on current growth momentum, SPTS looks to future technology investments by committing to joint ventures (JV) and technology partnerships. In August 2010, the company announced a $5.2M investment, and a joint venture with BluGlass Limited. BluGlass is an Australian green technology company whose Remote Plasma Chemical Vapour Deposition (RPCVD) process for depositing gallium nitride (GaN) and indium gallium nitride (InGaN) may potentially be a breakthrough in the production of higher efficiency LEDs. In addition, SPTS and CEA-Leti announced an agreement to develop advanced 300mm (TSV) 3D-IC processes at CEA-Leti’s 300mm facilities in Grenoble, France. SPTS, an early proponent and market leader in TSV equipment development will contribute process expertise in etch and deposition technologies, teaming this with Leti’s device know-how to optimise an integrated process flow.
With a surge in all served market segments, SPTS expects its order intake to remain strong through the remainder of 2010 and into 2011.
