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Asia

Intel has five-year plan

Intel will spend $50 million over five years to build an information technology research center in Beijing. The Intel Research Center will conduct pure and applied research on Internet-related technologies relevant to Chinese-language applications, according to the chipmaker. Scheduled to open by the end of June, the center is the second large venture undertaken in China by the world's largest IC manufacturer. Four years ago, Intel opened a wholly owned subsidiary in Shanghai called the Architecture Development Co. The unit works with Chinese software developers.

Applied opens tech center

Applied Materials has opened a $15-million technical training center in Singapore. The facility will serve Applied clients throughout Southeast Asia, the company says. It will have the initial capability to train 350 engineers. According to the process tool vendor, the center is the first of its kind in the region. Designed to accommodate 300-mm systems, the facility houses the vendor's etch, PVD, and CVD tools.

PRI ventures into Korea

A joint venture between PRI Automation and two South Korean firms gives the Massachusetts-based automation tool supplier broader reach in the region, the company says. PRI signed an agreement with Chung Song Systems and Shinsung Engineering to establish PRI Korea, which will have its headquarters in Boondang. S. K. Suh of Chung Song Systems will serve as president, and W. K. Lee, president of Shinsung, will serve on the new subsidiary's board of directors. The venture will manufacture PRI's automated material-handling products for chipmakers in Taiwan and other countries in the region.

Spectra launches Japanese unit

Spectra International, a manufacturer of in situ sensors and residual gas analyzers, has established a new division in Japan. Spectra International Japan will be based in Akoh City and will be managed by Setuaki Yokota, formerly of VAT SKK. Yokota is credited by Spectra with the successful introduction of the vendor's RGAs in Japan. Spectra's main office is in Morgan Hill, CA.

Rudolph opens field office

Rudolph Technologies says its new field office in Taiwan will stock spare parts and demonstrate the company's line of film metrology instruments. Located in Hsinchu, the branch will also expand Rudolph's customer service and applications support. The manager is Tung-Ming Shih.

Europe

SGS changes name

SGS-Thomson Microelectronics is now STMicroelectronics. The French-Italian chipmaker approved the name change at its annual general meeting in St. Genis, France, on May 18. The company's corporate identity, including its logo, remains unchanged. The chipmaker was the 10th largest manufacturer of semiconductors in 1997 with sales of nearly $4 billion, according to the market research firm In-Stat. In other news, STMicroelectronics announced it will build a $500-million 300-mm fab and pilot line at Crolles, France, and an advanced research center for nonvolatile technologies in Agrate, Italy. The Crolles site will house a pilot line for 300-mm CMOS and BiCMOS processes.

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