Rudolph Technologies and Entrepix, Inc. Announce License Agreement
Entrepix to market Rudolph AutoEL Series Ellipsometer
FLANDERS, NJ (November 27, 2007)-Rudolph Technologies, Flanders, New Jersey, and Entrepix, Inc., Tempe, Arizona, announced today that Rudolph has granted Entrepix an exclusive license to manufacture, sell, service and support the Rudolph AutoEL(TM)® series of thin-film ellipsometers. The AutoEL(TM)® was the first microprocessor-based automated ellipsometer and is recognized worldwide as a high-performance, high-precision instrument used in the measurement of film thickness. Thousands of AutoEL tools have been placed in universities, semiconductor research labs and semiconductor production lines since it was commercialized in 1977, with many of those tools in continuous use today. All systems to be sold will be labeled "Rudolph Technologies AutoEL(TM)®(TM)-provided and supported by Entrepix(TM)".
"The AutoEL(TM)® technology was the foundation of our overwhelming success in thin-film metrology,(TM)" said Paul McLaughlin, chairman and chief executive officer of Rudolph. (TM)"We are confident that Entrepix will continue to maintain the high level of support for this product that our customers have expected over the past thirty years."
Entrepix provides CMP process outsourcing and equipment services, including refurbishment of CMP, post-CMP cleaning and thin-film metrology equipment. Due to the complementary nature of Entrepix foundry and equipment capabilities, many semiconductor industry OEMs have authorized the company to exclusively refurbish, service and support pre-owned tools on their behalf.
"We are excited about this opportunity to serve our customers with this established product," said Tim Tobin, chief executive officer of Entrepix. "The AutoEL(TM)® is a perfect complement to our existing CMP and metrology equipment business. We have the infrastructure in place to continue development and refinement plus expand support of the tool to meet our customers' needs well into the future."
Under the terms of the Agreement, the transfer of assets and inventory will be completed sometime in the fourth quarter. Entrepix is licensed to market the AutoEL on a global basis (excluding Japan) beginning immediately. All inquiries for the AutoEL received by Rudolph will now be redirected to Entrepix.
Entrepix, Inc. is a leading provider of Chemical Mechanical Polishing (CMP) process outsourcing and equipment services. The company provides production, integration and optimization services to IDMs, OEMs, MEMS, nanotechnology and CMP consumables suppliers from its ISO 9001:2000 certified foundry in Tempe, AZ. Entrepix also supplies CMP and metrology equipment to support customers' internal processing requirements. The company's comprehensive processing and equipment capabilities provide customers CMP solutions, from initial integration and optimization, through pilot production and high volume manufacturing.
Rudolph Technologies is a worldwide leader in the design, development, manufacture and support of high-performance process control metrology, defect inspection and data analysis systems used by semiconductor device manufacturers. Rudolph provides a full-fab solution through its families of proprietary products that provide critical yield-enhancing information, enabling microelectronic device manufacturers to drive down costs and time to market. The company has enhanced the competitiveness of its products in the marketplace by anticipating and addressing many emerging trends driving the semiconductor industry's growth. Rudolph(TM)'s strategy for continued technological and market leadership includes aggressive research and development of complementary metrology and inspection solutions. Headquartered in Flanders, New Jersey, Rudolph supports its customers with a worldwide sales and service organization. Additional information can be found on the company's website at www.rudolphtech.com.
For more information, please contact:
Rudolph Technologies
Trade Press:
Virginia Becker
952.259.1647
virginia.becker@rudolphtech.com
Entrepix Company:
Bob Tucker
602.426.8675
btucker@entrepix.com
Trade Press:
Amy Smith
Impress Public Relations
401.369.9266
amy@impress-pr.com
