Week In Review: Manufacturing, Test

Chipmakers
Fujitsu, once a major manufacturer of ICs, continues to move away from chip production. On Semiconductor has completed the incremental 20% share purchase of Aizu Fujitsu Semiconductor Manufacturing, Fujitsu’s 200mm wafer fab in Aizu-Wakamatsu. On Semi will now hold a 60% majority ownership in the fab joint venture. Consequently, the name of the venture will transition to On Semiconductor Aizu. Recently, United Microelectronics Corp. (UMC) acquired the shares of Mie Fujitsu Semiconductor, a 300mm wafer foundry joint venture.

Atomera announced that STMicroelectronics has signed an integration license for its MST technology. Mears Silicon Technology (MST) is a patented, quantum-engineered material which can enhance transistors to deliver better performance in today’s electronics.

Systems from Elemental Technologies contained a chip that helped China spy on American companies, according to a report from Bloomberg.

Packaging and test
ASM Pacific Technology has completed its acquisition of TEL NEXX from Tokyo Electron Ltd. (TEL). Meanwhile, China’s TCL is mulling plans to take a 25% stake in ASM Pacific Technology, according to a report from Bloomberg.

Advantest has installed its 3,000th V93000 test system within its long-term customer AMD. The tester is being used for AMD’s Ryzen, Radeon and EPYC products.

Astronics has entered into a formal letter of intent to provide a test system program for an undisclosed customer in the transportation industry. The deal provides for an anticipated program value of approximately $30 million with additional options for up to a total value of approximately $50 million over the next five years.

Fab tools
Ultra Clean Holdings has made progress towards the resumption of production in Balan, Republic of Korea. As reported on Sept. 19, a facility operated by joint venture Cinos was extensively damaged by a fire. There were no injuries to any employees, first responders, safety personnel or neighbors to the facility, and national and local environmental agencies have reported no environmental impacts.

Inficon, a supplier of vacuum instrumentation and process control software to the semiconductor manufacturing industry, has acquired Final Phase Systems (FPS).

Market research
Production of electronic equipment is robust based on July and August data, according to Semiconductor Intelligence. China, the largest electronics producer, showed three-month-average change versus a year ago (3/12) of 13.8% in August, according to the firm.

The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) announced that worldwide sales of semiconductors reached $40.16 billion for the month of August 2018, an increase of 14.9% compared to the August 2017 total of $34.96 billion. Global sales in August 2018 were 1.7% higher than the July 2018 total of $39.49 billion.