Yield Engineering Systems, Inc. (YES), a leading manufacturer of process equipment for semiconductor advanced packaging, life sciences, and “More-than-Moore” applications, today announced that Russ Sanchez has joined the company’s senior leadership team as Vice President of Quality and Managing Director of YES’s new Technology Center in Chandler, Arizona.

Mr. Sanchez, who is based in Chandler, is a seasoned operations and business leader with over two decades of experience driving excellence in the manufacturing operations of semiconductors, microelectronics, printed electronics, antenna technology, and hard drives.

“Russ has an impressive track record of developing technology centers and manufacturing operations to support the growth of high-technology sector customers,” said Rezwan Lateef, President of YES. “His ability to implement quality systems and to partner closely with our customers to realize their next-generation devices will be invaluable as we move into the next phase of our company’s growth.”

Mr. Sanchez came to YES from NthDegree Worldwide Technologies, where he was Vice President of Operations. Before that, he held a variety of roles within Manufacturing and Quality at technology companies including Airgain, NXP Semiconductors, ST Microelectronics/Western Digital Corporation, Hynix Semiconductor of America, and Philips Semiconductors. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

About YES
Yield Engineering Systems, Inc. (YES) is a preferred provider of high-tech, cost-effective equipment for enhancing surfaces and materials. The company’s product lines include thermal processing systems, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) systems, and wet process equipment used for the precise surface modification of semiconductor substrates, semiconductor and MEMS devices, LED displays, and biodevices. Customers ranging from startups to Fortune 100 companies rely on YES systems to create and volume-produce innovative products in a wide range of markets. YES is headquartered in Fremont, California, with a growing global presence. For more information, please visit yieldengineering.com.

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A long-term, strategic, enterprise-level technology collaboration aims to further increase production efficiencies and reduce costs for Micron and its suppliers.

Cambridge, MA, July 13, 2022 – Today, Athinia™ announced that Micron Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: MU), a global leader in innovative memory and storage solutions, plans to use the Athinia™ data analytics platform to create a pioneering data collaboration ecosystem that will help lead a continued journey of digital transformation with Micron’s critical suppliers. Athinia™’s state-of-the-art AI-driven quality control methodology will be able to further improve process and device yield, reduce costs and accelerate time to value generation using select data and insights from Micron’s supply chain. Athinia™, launched in December 2021, is a partnership between Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany (DAX:MKGAF) and Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:PLTR).

“The secure architecture provided by Athinia™ will allow Micron and its suppliers to share a single source of real-time data without compromising data ownership, governance, privacy and security,” said Laura Matz, CEO of Athinia™ and Chief Science and Technology Officer of Merck, KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. “Through data sharing and collaboration, the platform leverages machine learning-driven analytics to solve critical challenges.”

Using Athinia™’s platform, Micron’s suppliers will be able to share their process and manufacturing data as well as key parameters, offering secure collaboration on a much larger population of critical data analytics. Micron and its suppliers can expect to see improvements in yields, shortened qualification times and enhanced quality.

“Micron is leading the industry in adopting the Athinia™ platform for its new ecosystem. Through data collaboration, Athinia™ can help to achieve key objectives for the semiconductor industry such as the improvement of material quality and sustainability, supply chain resilience as well as the acceleration of innovation cycles,” said Kai Beckmann, Member of the Executive Board of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany and CEO Electronics. “Ultimately, data analytics and collaboration will allow a wide range of benefits to the entire semiconductor industry.”

“The production and delivery of semiconductors is absolutely vital to our collective welfare and security,” said Alexander C. Karp, co-founder and chief executive officer of Palantir Technologies Inc. “We are committed to ensuring that Micron and Athinia™ have the software they need to address the supply chain challenges involved in the distribution of one of the world’s most essential and important products.”

About Athinia Technologies LLC
Data for Pioneers. Athinia™ provides a data analytics platform that brings manufacturers and materials suppliers together to share, aggregate, and analyze data to unlock efficiencies and time to market, while improving quality, supply chain and sustainability. All this without taking ownership of data.

Athinia™ is a partnership between Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany (DAX:MKGAF), and Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:PLTR). Athinia is headquartered in Cambridge, MA, USA. Athinia operates independently from the Electronics business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. More information can be found at www.athinia.com, LinkedIn and Twitter.

About Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, operates across healthcare, life science and electronics. Around 60,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people’s lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From advancing gene editing technologies and discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices – the company is everywhere. In 2021, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, generated sales of € 19.7 billion in 66 countries.

The company holds the global rights to the name and trademark “Merck” internationally. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, operate as EMD Serono in healthcare, MilliporeSigma in life science, and EMD Electronics in electronics. Since its founding in 1668, scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to the company’s technological and scientific advances. To this day, the founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company.

About Palantir Technologies Inc.
Foundational software of tomorrow. Delivered today. Additional information is available at https://www.palantir.com.

For more information please contact [email protected]

• Read more about Micron to Select Athinia™ for Pioneering Data Collaboration

Deventer, July 13, 2022 – RoodMicrotec N.V., a leading independent company for semiconductors supply and quality services, will publish the Company’s first half-year report for 2022 before stock opening on July 21, 2022.

CEO Martin Sallenhag and CFO Arvid Ladega will comment on the report and will respond to questions during the conference call for media, analysts and shareholders on July 21, 2022 at 9:30 CEST.

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About RoodMicrotec
RoodMicrotec is a leading independent company for semiconductor supply and quality services. With more than 50 years of experience in the semiconductor and electronics industry, RoodMicrotec is well-established as a highly valued partner for many companies worldwide. The Company provides full-turnkey ASIC services for complex microchips that are customized to handle specific applications for individual customers. In cooperation with strong partners, RoodMicrotec manages the entire development and production flow of ASICs in the target volume, ranging from low quantities up to multiple millions per year. The turnkey solution includes project management, wafer test, assembly, final test, qualification, failure analysis and logistics. All services comply with the industrial and quality requirements of the high reliability, aerospace, automotive, healthcare and industrial sectors. RoodMicrotec’s headquarter is located in Deventer, Netherlands, with operational units in Nördlingen and Stuttgart, Germany.

For more information visit https://www.roodmicrotec.com

Further information
Martin Sallenhag - CEO, Arvid Ladega - CFO
Telephone: +31 570 745623 Email: [email protected] Web: www.roodmicrotec.com

This press release is published in English only.

• Read more about RoodMicrotec N.V.: Invitation to the presentation of the first half-year’s results for 2022

Sikama International is excited to exhibit at SEMICON West 2022 this July, presenting the innovative Electron Attachment fluxless reflow technology, our upcoming 40th anniversary, and an extensive product line for a broad range of applications providing customers with the highest efficiency, smallest footprint, and most versatility in the industry. Our patented Electron Attachment technology, developed in partnership with AirProducts™, provides unmatched performance offering truly safe and residue-free fluxless reflow. The system is operated with N2 cover gas and an H2/N2 blend with less than 5% hydrogen, ensuring safe operation. The EA UP1200 utilizes an electrically isolated ceramic roller transport mechanism to move the work item from zone-to-zone through the oven. The work item is deoxidized in the EA zones prior to reflow which eliminates the need for flux coating or washing. This technology has shown to be superior to formic acid processes time and time again. In addition, this revolutionary breakthrough offers the safest and lowest cost per wafer yet for the semiconductor packaging industry.

Sikama is looking forward to discussing their full product line at SEMICON West this year. Visit our booth #1447 to learn more and enter to win an iPad Air!

• Read more about Sikama International at SEMICON West 2022 – “Reliable, Repeatable, Responsible Reflow”

Yield Engineering Systems, Inc. (YES), a leading manufacturer of process equipment for semiconductor advanced packaging, life sciences, and “More-than-Moore” applications, today announced that it has promoted Dan O’Connell to Vice President of Strategic Accounts.

Mr. O’Connell joined YES in November of 2021 as Senior Director of Key Account Management. In his newly expanded role, he will work closely with the company’s Sales, Marketing and Technology teams to nurture strategic customer relationships and ensure YES’s alignment with current and future customer technology requirements.

“Dan’s extensive strategic account experience in the semiconductor industry has contributed to our rapid growth,” said Rezwan Lateef, President of YES. “His proven ability to develop strong industry relationships aimed at enabling technology roadmaps, coupled with his intimate knowledge of Advanced Packaging processes, make Dan a valued addition to our senior leadership team.”

Prior to joining YES, Mr. O’Connell held senior key account management positions of increasing responsibility at ASM Pacific Technology Ltd., Tokyo Electron (TEL), LAM/Novellus, and Ebara. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

About YES
Yield Engineering Systems, Inc. (YES) is a preferred provider of high-tech, cost-effective equipment for enhancing surfaces and materials. The company’s product lines include thermal processing systems, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) systems, and wet process equipment used for the precise surface modification of semiconductor substrates, semiconductor and MEMS devices, LED displays, and biodevices. Customers ranging from startups to Fortune 100 companies rely on YES systems to create and volume-produce innovative products in a wide range of markets. YES is headquartered in Fremont, California, with a growing global presence. For more information, please visit yieldengineering.com.

• Read more about YES Names Dan O’Connell as Vice President of Strategic Accounts

Deventer, June 21, 2022 – RoodMicrotec N.V., a leading independent company for semiconductors supply and quality services, and EnSilica plc, a leading chip maker of mixed signal ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), today announce that they have successfully brought a mixed signal automotive ASIC to commercial production following the official launch of a new flagship vehicle by a premium automotive company. The ASIC provides key differentiating features in the chassis control of the vehicle.

As announced in 2018, RoodMicrotec was selected by EnSilica to support it in the qualification and testing of this mixed signal automotive ASIC. RoodMicrotec will undertake final testing and shipment of the ASICs for EnSilica.

EnSilica is pleased to confirm that the main production run has now commenced with the official launch of the vehicle. The production schedule for more than 2.5 million ASICs over the next 12 months has been received. The ASIC has an anticipated seven-year production life and depending on the model, there are up to 24 ASICs per vehicle.

“It has been exciting to support EnSilica in bringing this project to production over the last few years. We are now looking forward to supporting production of this device in our Nördlingen facility”, says Martin Sallenhag, CEO of RoodMicrotec. “It again shows the demand for our unique combined capabilities, in depth experience and excellent track record in bringing automotive products to the market for our valued customers.”

“We are delighted to be entering the full production volume of this exciting project, having successfully collaborated with RoodMicrotec over a number of years. Our joint effort across this highly technical automotive project has now resulted in successful launch of the vehicle”, says Ian Lankshear, CEO of EnSilica.

About EnSilica
EnSilica is a leading fabless design house focused on custom ASIC design and supply for OEMs and system houses, as well as IC design services for companies with their own design teams. The company has world-class expertise in supplying custom RF, mmWave, mixed signal and digital ICs to its international customers in the automotive, industrial, healthcare and communications markets. The company also offers a broad portfolio of core IP covering cryptography, radar and communications systems. EnSilica has a track record in delivering high quality solutions to demanding industry standards. The company is headquartered near Oxford, UK and has a design centres across the UK and in Bangalore, India and Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Further information on EnSilica at www.ensilica.com

About RoodMicrotec
RoodMicrotec is a leading independent company for semiconductor supply and quality services. With more than 50 years of experience in the semiconductor and electronics industry, RoodMicrotec is well-established as a highly valued partner for many companies worldwide. The Company provides full-turnkey ASIC services for complex microchips that are customized to handle specific applications for individual customers. In cooperation with strong partners, RoodMicrotec manages the entire development and production flow of ASICs in the target volume, ranging from low quantities up to multiple millions per year. The turnkey solution includes project management, wafer test, assembly, final test, qualification, failure analysis and logistics. All services comply with the industrial and quality requirements of the high reliability, aerospace, automotive, healthcare and industrial sectors. RoodMicrotec’s headquarter is located in Deventer, Netherlands, with operational units in Nördlingen and Stuttgart, Germany.
Further information on RoodMicrotec at www.roodmicrotec.com

Further information
Martin Sallenhag - CEO, Arvid Ladega - CFO
Telephone: +31 570 745623 Email: [email protected] Web: www.roodmicrotec.com

This press release is published in English and German. In case of conflict between these versions the English version shall prevail.

• Read more about Premium Automotive Vehicle Launched with EnSilica’s Key Mixed Signal ASIC

Zurich, Switzerland / Heidelberg, Germany – Heidelberg Instruments Nano AG in Zurich, a subsidiary office of Heidelberg Instruments Mikrotechnik GmbH celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the commercialization of the NanoFrazor system series. The NanoFrazor is based on the Thermal Scanning Probe (t-SPL) technology and can be used for nanopatterning of quantum devices on 1D/2D materials, grayscale photonics devices, nanofluidic structures or biomimetic substrates for cell growth.

Originally the Thermal Scanning Probe technology was developed at IBM, where a group of researchers showed that the sharp tips of atomic force microscopes can be heated and used as a tool to “drill” nanoscale holes and later to write arbitrary nanostructures by using special, evaporating materials.

After exploring the technology at IBM, Felix Holzner and Philip Paul incorporated SwissLitho AG as a spin-off from ETH Zurich (Heidelberg Instruments Nano AG since 2021) as CEO and CTO with the idea of selling nanolithography equipment for t-SPL. The technical term “Thermal Scanning Probe Lithography” was then replaced by the product name “NanoFrazor”.

After starting operations of then SwissLitho in early 2013, the first commercial NanoFrazor machine named “Titlis”, a NanoFrazor Explore, was installed in 2014 at McGill University in Canada. “Titlis” is still running and just recently received an upgrade with the integration of the laser writer module jointly developed in Heidelberg and Zurich. Today, more than 50 NanoFrazor systems have been installed at renowned facilities all over the world, with new customers lined up for future systems.

“The NanoFrazor team in Zurich works on various promising developments on the instrument as well as on the materials to continuously expand the applications range of the technology. There are still manifold open opportunities for the NanoFrazor, as it can still be considered novel, even 10 years after the start of its commercialization. Everyone at Heidelberg Instruments is excited to see how the NanoFrazor will have developed in another 10 years from now”, Konrad Roessler, CEO of Heidelberg Instruments Mikrotechnik says.

The anniversary was celebrated in the newly opened office of Heidelberg Instruments Nano in Zurich together with family, friends, and numerous partners, who supported the successful journey of the NanoFrazor.

About Heidelberg Instruments Mikrotechnik GmbH
With over 35 years of experience and more than 1,200 installed systems, Heidelberg Instruments is one of the leading international players in developing and producing high-precision photolithography systems and nanofabrication tools. Heidelberg Instruments systems are installed in industrial and scientific facilities around the world. They are used for efficient direct writing and photomask fabrication for various industries, including semiconductors, quantum computing, photonics, 2D materials, IoT, and many related fields.

• Read more about Heidelberg Instruments celebrates 10 years of NanoFrazor

Boston / London June 2022 – Leading surplus asset management company, EquipNet Inc., announced enhancements to its Equipment Sustainability Programs. Since 1999, EquipNet has been helping global manufacturers to track, redeploy, buy, and sell surplus manufacturing assets, contributing to clients’ overall sustainability goals even before those goals were created.

EquipNet has improved its proprietary Asset Management System (ARMS), a web-based tracking software, to not only track idle equipment throughout the enterprise but measure landfill avoidance on a global scale. This comprehensive software ensures cost savings through the redeployment of equipment from facilities that no longer have a use for the assets to locations that can use the machines. Now with the landfill avoidance tracking, the system also contributes to sustainable management. Just in the last few years, EquipNet’s clients have diverted 200,000 tonnes of waste from landfills.

“Creating a more sustainable environment for global manufacturers has been at the heart of what we do for almost a quarter of a century,” says Ben Potenza, VP of Sales & Marketing. “Redeploying and selling well-maintained equipment is only part of the story. Now we can help our clients illustrate real impact on the circular economy by tracking landfill avoidance.”

Equipment Sustainability Programs unlock idle machinery potential and contribute to positive corporate citizenship by extending machinery’s useful life, as well as delivering substantial cost avoidance to the enterprise. It’s the essence of a circular economy.

About EquipNet
EquipNet is a leading provider of proactive asset management solutions and services to leading corporations in the pharmaceutical, chemical, electronics, industrial, and consumer packaged goods industries. EquipNet’s vision is to revolutionize the way companies manage their surplus assets by maximizing financial returns and minimizing the risks associated with idle capital assets. If you have surplus you are looking to sell, or are looking for pre-owned equipment at an affordable price, visit us at www.EquipNet.com.

Press Contact
Sarah Kilburne
Director of Marketing, EquipNet
[email protected]

• Read more about SEMI Member, EquipNet, Enhances Its Equipment Sustainability Program