Pfäffikon SZ, July 6, 2005 − At its meeting today, the new Unaxis Board of Directors resolved to keep the company’s semiconductor-related business activities, regardless of the purchase offers that have been received. The related negotiations with potentially interested buyers have been discontinued.
The Board of Directors is convinced that, given the existing product portfolio, an independent development of the Semiconductor Equipment segment within the Unaxis Group represents the best possible option for benefiting from the anticipated upswing in the market. The Semiconductor Equipment segment, which consists of the Wafer Processing and Assembly & Packaging (ESEC) divisions, will be developed further after completion of the current restructuring measures. Kenneth T. Barry, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Unaxis, will remain head of the Semiconductor Equipment segment.