Applied Materials Expands Display, Solar Equipment Manufacturing Capability in Taiwan

TAINAN, Taiwan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Applied Materials, Inc., the world’s largest supplier of equipment to the semiconductor, flat panel display (FPD) and solar photovoltaic (PV) industries, today announced the opening of its newly expanded Tainan Manufacturing Center in Tainan, Taiwan. The nearly 15,000 square meter facility will enhance Applied’s capability to serve its FPD and thin film solar PV customers in Asia while capitalizing on Taiwan’s excellent location, strong talent pool and supply chain efficiencies.

“Applied has a 20-year history of success in Taiwan and with this expanded center, we are setting a strong foundation for even greater success in the next 20 years. I would like to thank our customers, employees and the Taiwan government who helped make this state-of-the-art manufacturing facility possible.”

“The Tainan Manufacturing Center is one of our biggest investments in Asia and puts Taiwan at the center of our display and solar equipment technology efforts,” said Mike Splinter, chairman and CEO of Applied Materials. “Applied has a 20-year history of success in Taiwan and with this expanded center, we are setting a strong foundation for even greater success in the next 20 years. I would like to thank our customers, employees and the Taiwan government who helped make this state-of-the-art manufacturing facility possible.”

The Tainan Manufacturing Center employs approximately 150 people and is expected to build and ship about 100 new PECVD* and PVD* systems this year – a 400% increase in shipments from last year. The Center’s Tainan location and extensive supply chain in Asia will enable Applied to more rapidly meet the demands of its large base of display and solar customers in Asia.

Applied Materials has a major presence in Taiwan with more than 800 employees in 10 offices across the country. A leading market for semiconductor and FPD manufacturing, Taiwan is also becoming an increasingly active region for solar energy. In 2009, Taiwan passed renewable energy legislation aimed at promoting the use of renewable energy and boosting energy diversification. Applied has donated R&D systems for thin film solar energy research to some of Taiwan’s leading universities and supports education efforts through its Applied Young Talent program.

Taiwanese Premier D.Y. Wu, Dr. L.C. Lee, minister of Taiwan’s National Science Council, Tainan County Mayor H.J. Su and S.C. Lin, vice minister of Taiwan Economic Affairs, attended the festivities and recognized the contributions Applied has made to the country after 20 years of doing business in Taiwan.

“I am pleased that Applied Materials, a globally recognized company, is continuing to invest in Tainan and we will provide our full support to making the Center a great success,” said Premier D.Y. Wu. “This is an exciting time for Taiwan’s technology industry as solar energy and flat panel displays emerge as major opportunities for our economic development in the 21^st century. We celebrate Applied’s successful history in Taiwan and the extraordinary achievements made through the collaboration and commitment of our people.”

Forward-Looking Statements. This release contains forward-looking statements, including those relating to Applied’s Tainan Center, product shipments, and prospects in Taiwan. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to: demand for Applied’s products, which is subject to many factors, including uncertain global economic and industry conditions, demand for electronic products and semiconductors, and customers' capacity and new technology requirements; Applied’s ability to (i) develop, deliver and support a broad range of products and expand its markets, (ii) timely align its cost structure with business conditions, and (iii) plan and manage its resources and production capability, including its supply chain; and other risks described in Applied Materials' SEC filings. All forward-looking statements are based on management's estimates, projections and assumptions as of the date hereof and the company undertakes no obligation to update any such statements.

Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAT) is the global leader in Nanomanufacturing Technology™ solutions with a broad portfolio of innovative equipment, service and software products for the fabrication of semiconductor chips, flat panel displays, solar photovoltaic cells, flexible electronics and energy efficient glass. At Applied Materials, we apply Nanomanufacturing Technology to improve the way people live. Learn more at www.appliedmaterials.com.

PECVD: plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition

PVD: physical vapor deposition

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