12.03.2001 17:00:00 CET

ASM announces delivery of epsilon® E2000™ epitaxial tools to texas instruments

BILTHOVEN, THE NETHERLANDS, March 12, 2001 – ASM International N.V. (Nasdaq, symbol ASMI, and Euronext Stock Exchange in Amsterdam, symbol ASM) and its subsidiary, ASM America, announced today that they have delivered multiple Epsilon® E2000™ single-wafer epitaxial processing tools to Texas Instruments, the world leader in digital signal processors (DSP) and analog integrated circuits.

The single-wafer Epsilon E2000 epitaxial tool was chosen after a rigorous evaluation program that was based on production efficiencies and cost-of-ownership. Texas Instruments has taken delivery of the Epsilon tools to support their production of advanced mixed-signal devices at their Dallas, Texas and Freising, Germany facilities.

Rob Simpson, Texas Instruments, Director of World Wide Capital Procurement commented, “The ASM Epsilon system was chosen because of its industry-proven reliability and its wide range of process capability. The high performance of the Epsilon tool and ASM's broad experience in epitaxial processing provides TI with a compelling solution that supports our process development and production requirements."

Dr. Armand P. Ferro, ASM Epitaxial Business Unit Manager, added, “The Epsilon is a very flexible epitaxial tool that can operate over a wide range of process parameters and is robust in its design as a production tool. ASM has a proven track record of process development and production experience. Acceptance of the Epsilon was based on ASM's ability to meet Texas Instruments’ stringent specifications and provide a tool which is capable of performing in their advanced mixed-signal processing applications."

ASM is a world-class supplier of single-wafer epitaxial tools and related semiconductor process equipment. ASM has been building and selling epitaxial reactors since 1987 and its Epsilon reactors are used in mass production by all major semiconductor device manufacturers and wafer suppliers worldwide.


About ASM


ASM International N.V. is headquartered in Bilthoven, the Netherlands. ASM International’s subsidiaries design, manufacture and market equipment and materials used to produce semiconductor devices. ASM International and its subsidiaries provide production solutions for wafer processing, assembly and packaging through their facilities in the United States, Europe, Japan and Asia. ASM International’s common stock shares trade on NASDAQ (symbol ASMI) and the Euronext Stock Exchange in Amsterdam (symbol ASM). Additional information can be found on ASM’s web site at http://www.asm.com


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Contact:
Yinka Massally
Public Relations
+1 602-470-5829
yinka.massally@asm.com

MaryJo Dieckhaus
Investor Relations
+1 212-986-2900
ddandw@compuserve.com

Annemiek van Gijn
Public Relations
+ 31-30-2298411
annemiek.van.gijn@asm.com