Meiden and Applied Materials Announce New System Remanufacturing Center in China
TOKYO, Dec 3, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Meidensha Corporation (Meiden) and Applied Materials, Inc. announced a strategic relationship to provide remanufactured pre-owned chipmaking systems and related repair and maintenance services to Asia's semiconductor manufacturers. A newly-opened center, established as the Shanghai Meiden Semiconductor Company Limited (SMS) and located in the Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone, Shanghai, China, will begin production this month.
"We are very pleased to be collaborating with Meiden to address this opportunity," noted Dr. David N.K. Wang, executive vice president of Applied Materials and general manager of the Applied Global Services group. "This new Shanghai facility is the fourth regional center in our worldwide system remanufacturing network, in addition to centers in Texas, France and Japan, allowing us to be close to our customers and provide them with high-value products and services. By offering new system functionality, along with warranties and service options, these remanufactured systems are an exceptional value that can be purchased strategically by customers to add incremental fab capacity at cost-effective prices."
Mr. Keiji Kataoka, president and CEO of Meidensha Corp., said, "This new facility is a major step forward in our relationship with Applied Materials, and an important element in our growing presence in China. Our work with Applied Materials in Japan gives us an excellent basis for expanding our alliance into the Chinese chip equipment market. We hope our new services will benefit Applied's customers in China and worldwide."
Applied Materials, the largest supplier of remanufactured systems to the semiconductor industry, has provided customers with nearly 400 remanufactured systems since 1994. To provide optimum performance, its remanufactured systems feature Applied Materials original components, many of its latest part designs and upgrades, as well as installation and warranties. The remanufactured systems are sold through Applied Materials' customer account representatives.
Founded in 1897, Meidensha Corporation is a leading manufacturer in the heavy electric industry in Japan. Its headquarters are in Hakozaki-cho, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan. Meidensha employs 4,900 people and is listed on the 1st Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. With a capital of 17 billion yen, the company's annual turnover in Fiscal Year 2002 totaled 150 billion yen. Meidensha is a member of the Sumitomo Group of Companies. Visit http://www.meidensha.co.jp.
Applied Materials (Nasdaq:AMAT) is the largest supplier of products and services to the global semiconductor industry. Applied Materials' Web site is http://www.appliedmaterials.com.
SOURCE: Applied Materials
Applied Materials Betty Newboe, 408-563-0647 (editorial/media) betty_x_newboe@amat.com Paul Bowman, 408-563-1698 (financial community) paul_bowman@amat.com or Meiden Hirofumi Nagao, +81-3-5641-7208 nagao-h@honsha.meidensha.co.jp
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