On January 5th, Camtek Ltd. (Migdal Haemek, Israel) reported its first sale (in December 2009) of the Gannet, Camtek's first new Automatic Optical Inspection (AOI) system for the front-end semiconductor industry, to a leading Asian Integrated Device Manufacturer (IDM). The Gannet recently completed a successful beta test at a fab in Israel and has now been released for commercial sales.
The estimated annual global size of this new addressable market for Camtek, the front-end semiconductor inspection, is estimated to be in the range of $150-$170 million per year," according to an estimate by Camtek CEO Rafi Amit.
Camtek's Gannet is a new AOI system designed to provide solutions to a variety of processes in the front-end market, offering a competitive advantage to customers. Designed to address the global trend for multiple resolution inspection at a low cost of ownership, the Gannet system provides high sensitivity defect detection and rapid setup combined with high throughput capabilities.
By leveraging Camtek's accumulated experience as one of the leaders in the semiconductor back-end inspection market, the Gannet is expected to play an important role in a broad range of front-end semiconductor inspection processes such as lithography and CMP, as well as other processes.
Amit commented: "The Gannet takes advantage of our accumulated knowledge and expertise in the back-end semiconductor inspection market, and leverages it into the front end inspection market, with almost the same cost structure. By relying on our accumulated experience in developing and building AOI systems, our broad customer base, as well as our leading market position, we have further expanded our addressable markets by offering a new advanced front end inspection system. This new system addresses the market need for cost-effective inspection without compromising on detection capability of fine defects."
Amit concluded, "We are very pleased with our selection by this market leader. For Camtek, this is a milestone, culminating years of development and hard work. We look forward to further strengthening and growing our standing in the semiconductor AOI market, and reaping the rewards of this new and major growth driver, for years to come."
Camtek Ltd (NASDAQ and TASE: CAMT) provides automated solutions dedicated for enhancing production processes and yield, enabling our customers new technologies in three industries; Semiconductors, Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and IC Substrates.
Camtek addresses the specific needs of these industries with dedicated solutions based on a wide and advanced platform of technologies including intelligent imaging, image processing, ion milling and digital material deposition. Camtek's solutions range from micro-to-nano by applying its technologies to the industry-specific requirements.
Mira Rosenzweig, CFO
Tel: +972-4-604-8308
Mobile: +972-54-9050703
mirar@camtek.co.il
IR INTERNATIONAL
GK Investor Relations
Ehud Helft / Kenny Green
Tel: (US) +1-646-201-9246
