ASMI to open wafer plant in Singapore

The plant, part of the Dutch firm's strategy to expand in Asia, is seen reaching annual shipments of 100 systems by end-2006.

Semiconductor equipment maker ASM International will invest $50 million to open its first wafer processing equipment plant in Singapore, the Dutch company said on Wednesday.

HT Image

ASMI said the new plant, which is part of its strategy to expand in Asia, was expected to reach annual shipments of 100 systems by the end of 2006 and create about 200 to 300 jobs.

ASMI's midcap shares opened two per cent higher at 11.65 euros.

"Asia is the fastest developing region in the world for the semiconductor industry, and this plant will give us a strategic presence in the region for both front- and back-end semiconductor manufacturing," ASMI chief executive Arthur del Prado said in a statement.