Trikon Announces Two Omega Etch Systems Sold for Production to Zetex Semiconductors NEWPORT, Wales, June 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Trikon Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:TRKN), today announced the sale of two Omega etchers to Zetex Semiconductors PLC, a leading innovator in the manufacture of analog power devices for the consumer, automotive and industrial electronics sectors. The sale to Zetex includes an Omega 201 ICP to be used for silicon trench etching and polysilicon etch-back processes and an Omega i2L fitted with PERIE & Isopod process modules, to be used for a range of dielectric etches including contact, via, hard-mask open and planarisation. The Omega 201 ICP will add additional production capacity to an equivalent Omega etcher that has already been running these processes at Zetex for approximately one year. Zetex also purchased the new Omega i2L etch platform with PERIE & Isopod process modules. The i2L platform was launched in China earlier this year and combines the process modules and robust Windows XP control software from Trikon's proven fxP(TM) series cluster tools with the wafer transport subsystem from Trikon's proven 200 series cluster tool. By combining production proven modules and sub-systems, the Omega i2L offers low cost processing on a small footprint without the risks normally associated with the introduction of a new system. "The Omega i2L was designed with companies like Zetex in mind," said Dr. Dave Thomas, etch marketing manager at Trikon. "Modern semiconductor manufacturing sites need flexible tools that can support multiple applications, that have a low purchase cost as well as a low operating cost and that have the ability to better match capacity to current demand. High capacity cluster tools have their place, such as in foundries and DRAM fabs, but not every fab can justify the substantial cost and capacity increase from conventional cluster tools with their multiple modules all dedicated to the same process. The Omega i2L is the ideal system for power and consumer IC companies." Tim Monaghan, head of global supply at Zetex commented, "Our Trikon trench etcher has run reliably since its installation in 2004. For our critical trench process, the interferometric endpoint detection unit on the Omega has shown considerable benefits in terms of improved device yield and reduced scrap, significantly accelerating the ROI on the system. When it came to adding capacity, it was a simple decision to select another Omega 201. The selection for the dielectric etch was more involved; we were looking for a single system that could run seven different processes, replacing two tools in our fab. Trikon showed that the Omega i2L had the flexibility we needed, and continued to impress us with their commitment to our business and to power applications in general." Monaghan of Zetex continued, "This is part of our continuing investment in flexible wafer processing capabilities to support our range of analog solutions. Zetex's rapid growth over the last several years has been underpinned by our distinctive range of IC technologies. The flexible support that our relationship with suppliers such as Trikon provides allows us to extend the internal portion of our capacity at minimum risk." According to iSuppli, the power management market grew 24 percent to $20 billion in 2004, and is forecast to continue to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 12.7 percent through 2008. The strength of the power market is fuelled by the broad usage in all electronic segments, plus the rapid growth of portable devices. Trikon serves the power market with its Omega etch and Sigma metal deposition systems. About Zetex Semiconductors PLC Zetex Semiconductors designs and manufactures high performance semiconductor solutions for analog signal processing and the management of power in automotive, communications, consumer and industrial electronics. Meeting the demand for greater power economy, precision and speed in analog circuit design, the broad Zetex product range comprises application specific linear ICs and discrete semiconductor devices in multiple package configurations. As a specialist in analog technology, Zetex offers a diverse series of ICs for audio, video and linear applications as well as motor control and DC-DC conversion. Its discrete component range features trench MOSFETs, IntelliFET(TM) smart MOSFETs and bipolar transistors. Headquartered near Manchester in the UK, Zetex Semiconductors has manufacturing and sales operations in Asia, Europe and the USA and is supported by distributors in more than 45 countries. (http://www.zetex.com/salesnetwork). Its parent company, Zetex plc, is quoted on the official list of the London Stock Exchange (listing symbol: ZTX). About Trikon Technologies Trikon Technologies is a leading provider of wafer fabrication equipment and services to the global semiconductor industry. Trikon develops and manufactures advanced capital equipment for plasma etching and chemical and physical vapor deposition (CVD and PVD) of thin films for use in the production of semiconductor, MEMS and similar devices. These are key components in most advanced electronic products, such as telecommunication devices, consumer and industrial electronics and computers. More information is available at: http://www.trikon.com/. "Safe Harbor" Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995 This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, which include, without limitation, statements in this new release and comments by Dr. Thomas and Mr. Monaghan about Trikon's sales of its Omega line of products and the needs of the semiconductor industry and statements about the projected growth rates of the power management market. The forward-looking statements in this press release are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including, but not limited to, the potential for orders to be cancelled prior to shipment; our ability to build and ship the Omega i2L and the Omega 201, and the unpredictable and cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry and the power management market. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of all risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company's business and the market for power semiconductor products, and should be read in conjunction with the more detailed cautionary statements included in the Company's SEC reports, including, without limitation, its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. We assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. DATASOURCE: Trikon Technologies Inc. CONTACT: Katrina Bomont, Marketing Publicity Manager of Trikon Technologies Inc., +44 (0) 1633 414030, or ; or media, Stew Chalmers of Positio, +1-818-980-3762, or ; or U.S. Investor Relations, Kevin Kirkeby of Global Consulting Group, +1-646-284-9416, or Web site: http://www.trikon.com/

Copyright