While the semiconductor industry is having a hard time for a while due to the economic slowdown, Amtech Systems has managed to hedge their capabilities. Amtech Systems,Inc. (NASDAQ:ASYS), a global supplier of production, silicon wafers and automation systems decided to move into the growing field of solar cells. A few months ago they announced that Amtech Systems had booked over $100 million in orders for its solar and semiconductor products in fiscal 2008 ended September 30th, with solar orders approximating 70% of total bookings. 

J.S. Whang, President and Chief Executive Officer of Amtech, commented, “With the $9.0 million in follow-on solar orders we announced on September 15th, we have achieved a very significant milestone in the history of Amtech in surpassing $100 million in total solar and semiconductor orders in fiscal 2008. To put this achievement in perspective, total orders in fiscal 2007 were $56 million, including $21 million of solar orders. This milestone was reached on the strength of our solar products and in spite of a downturn in the semiconductor industry and the recent weakening of the Euro, compared to last quarter.”

Semiconductors, or semiconductor chips, are fabricated on silicon wafer substrates, sliced from ingots, and are part of the circuitry, or electronic components, of many products including computers, telecommunications devices, automotive products, consumer goods, and industrial automation and control systems. The Company’s wafer handling, thermal processing and consumable products currently address the diffusion, oxidation and deposition steps used in the fabrication of solar cells, semiconductors, MEMS and the polishing of newly sliced silicon wafers.

Recently, a company of Amtech launched a partnership with the Dutch Energy Centre (ECN).





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