|
|
 |
|
|
-
CHARTERED
AND SMIC ANNOUNCE ALLIANCE ON 0.18-MICRON TECHNOLOGY
AND CAPACITY
Chartered takes another step in world's fastest growing
market, while SMIC benefits from technology transfer
and patent cross-licensing rights
SINGAPORE
and SHANGHAI - December 21, 2001 - Chartered Semiconductor
Manufacturing (NASDAQ: CHRT and SGX-ST: Chartered),
one of the world's top three silicon foundries, and
Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation
(SMIC), China's first advanced open-IC foundry, today
announced they have entered into an alliance. Upon execution
of the detailed agreements, Chartered will transfer
its 0.18-micron baseline logic process technology and
grant patent license rights to SMIC in exchange for
an equity stake and access to capacity. Financial terms
were not disclosed.
"This non-exclusive alliance is part of Chartered's
long-term China strategy and marks another step into
the world's fastest developing semiconductor market,
where we have already been doing business for several
years," said Barry Waite, president and CEO of Chartered.
"Through this alliance with a leading start-up foundry
in China, we can offer our customers - both within and
outside China - access to indigenous capacity in the
world's fastest-growing market, as a complement to leading-edge
capacity at Chartered's fabs in Singapore."
"SMIC is very pleased to be partnered with Chartered,
one of the top-tier foundries in the world," said Richard
Chang, president and CEO of SMIC. "SMIC is committed
to its technology development, and also jointly develops
advanced technologies with our partners. Working with
a proven technology leader like Chartered will enable
us to move quickly along the learning curve. SMIC is
well-positioned to complement leading-edge foundries
like Chartered with additional, value-added capacity,
and customers of both companies truly stand to benefit."
SMIC recently entered into pilot production producing
8-inch wafers at 0.25-micron (and below) technology,
and it is expected to reach full capacity producing
85,000 8-inch wafers per month by the end of 2004. SMIC
devices in the initial production phase are expected
to include SRAM, ASIC RAM, LOGIC, and other kinds of
chips with applications in digital TV, VCD/DVD players,
mobile phone, smart IC cards, and other applications.
About Chartered
Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing is one of the
world's top three silicon foundries. The Company's business
model is distinguished by its strategy to build trusted
long-term relationships, where manufacturing is part
of a larger customer-service focus that includes joint
development and implementation of new process technologies
supporting novel applications within the broad communications
market. Chartered operates five semiconductor fabrication
facilities at its Singapore headquarters, with a substantially
completed sixth fab that is in the process of being
equipped as a 300mm facility.
A Company with both global presence and perspective,
Chartered is traded on both the Nasdaq Stock Market
in the United States (Nasdaq: CHRT) and on the Singapore
Exchange Securities Trading Limited in Singapore (SGX-ST:
CHARTERED). The Company reported 2000 revenues of over
US$1.1 billion. More than 4,300 Chartered employees
are based at 12 locations around the world. Information
about Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing can be found
at www.charteredsemi.com
About SMIC
Established in April 2000, SMIC is a Cayman Islands
Company with headquarters in Shanghai, China. SMIC offers
leading technology, fast turnaround production and customizable
outsourced semiconductor manufacturing services for
major integrated device manufacturers, fabless design
houses and system OEMs. SMIC's key services include
IC design, mask shop, manufacturing, packaging, and
testing, providing our customers with a one-stop full
service solution. Pilot production has already begun
in Fab 1 and volume output is expected by the beginning
of 2002. Fab 2 is planned to begin equipment installation
by August 2002 and commence pilot production by the
end of 2002.
Safe Harbor Statement under the provisions of the
United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995
This news release contains forward-looking statements,
as defined in the safe harbor provisions of the U.S.
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
forward-looking statements, including without limitation,
the parties expectations under the detailed agreements
and the appropriateness of our business model and strategy,
reflect our current views with respect to future events
and financial performance, and are subject to certain
risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results
to differ materially from historical results or those
anticipated. Among the factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially are: the results of the
due diligence and approval process, the successful implementation
of our alliances; changes in market outlook and trends
and customer demands. Although we believe the expectations
reflected in such forward-looking statements are based
upon reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance
that our expectations will be attained. In addition
to the foregoing factors, a description of certain other
risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results
to differ materially can be found in the section captioned
"Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed
with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. You
are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, which are based on the current view of management
on future events. We undertake no obligation to publicly
update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether
as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
|
|
|
|
