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GLOBALFOUNDRIES and Amkor to Collaborate on Advanced Assembly and Test Solutions

^{Published on 2011-08-29 13:06:39 - Market Wire}
 

MILPITAS, Calif. & CHANDLER, Ariz.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--[ GLOBALFOUNDRIES ] and [ Amkor ] Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMKR) today announced that they have entered into a strategic partnership to develop integrated assembly and test solutions for advanced silicon nodes. The companies plan to collaborate to co-develop and commercialize integrated fab-bump-probe-assembly-test solutions aimed at multiple customers and end-market applications and expand their lead-free bump licensing relationship.

"We are excited to launch our new global alliance by partnering with Amkor to jointly develop advanced packaging solutions"

Through the partnership, Amkor would become a founding member of GLOBALFOUNDRIESa™ new Global Alliance for Advanced Assembly Solutions, which is designed to accelerate innovation in semiconductor interconnect, assembly and packaging technologies. By joining forces, GLOBALFOUNDRIES and Amkor plan to extend the ecosystem to address growing market needs, while bolstering their ability to deliver end-to-end solutions for customers at advanced technology nodes.

Amkor and GLOBALFOUNDRIES have also recently expanded their prior lead-free wafer bump licensing relationship by amending their existing lead-free bumping technology license agreement.

aWe are excited to launch our new global alliance by partnering with Amkor to jointly develop advanced packaging solutions,a said Gregg Bartlett, senior vice president of technology and research and development at GLOBALFOUNDRIES. aOur broad and collaborative approach will give customers maximum choice and flexibility, while delivering cost savings, faster time-to-volume, and a reduction in the technical risk associated with developing new technologies.a

aWe are pleased to be working on these new initiatives with an important semiconductor foundry partner like GLOBALFOUNDRIES,a said Dr. Robert Darveaux, Amkora™s corporate vice president, technology and platform development. aThe combination of GLOBALFOUNDRIESa™ world-class foundry services and technology with Amkora™s advanced bump, probe, assembly and test solutions will drive significant value for our common customers.a

As the industry moves aggressively to more advanced technology nodes, innovation in interconnect, assembly and packaging solutions is becoming increasingly important. Supply chain management has become a critical topic, as the ability to enable innovative packaging techniques can lead to improvements in performance and power-efficiency as well as reduced costs for chip designers. At leading-edge nodes, the adoption of three-dimensional (3D) stacking of integrated circuits is increasingly being viewed as an alternative to traditional technology node scaling at the transistor level. As new technologies such as this are introduced, the complexity of chip-package interaction is going up significantly and it is increasingly difficult for foundries and OSATs to be able to deliver end-to-end solutions that meet the requirements of the broad range of leading-edge designs. The partnership between GLOBALFOUNDRIES and Amkor will enable the supply chain to better meet these diverse requirements and deliver robust and reliable solutions to mutual customers.

ABOUT GLOBALFOUNDRIES

GLOBALFOUNDRIES is the worlda™s first full-service semiconductor foundry with a truly global manufacturing and technology footprint. Launched in March 2009 through a partnership between AMD [NYSE: AMD] and the Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC), GLOBALFOUNDRIES provides a unique combination of advanced technology, manufacturing excellence and global operations. With the integration of Chartered in January 2010, GLOBALFOUNDRIES significantly expanded its capacity and ability to provide best-in-class foundry services from mainstream to the leading edge. GLOBALFOUNDRIES is headquartered in Silicon Valley with manufacturing operations in Singapore, Germany, and a new leading-edge fab under construction in Saratoga County, New York. These sites are supported by a global network of R&D, design enablement, and customer support in Singapore, China, Taiwan, Japan, the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom. For more information on GLOBALFOUNDRIES, visit [ http://www.globalfoundries.com ].

GLOBALFOUNDRIES CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and include, without limitation, statements regarding the company's current expectations, assumptions, assessments, anticipations, objectives, plans, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. These forward-looking statements therefore are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially. Some factors which contribute to these risks and uncertainties include the economic conditions both in the United States and around the world; the difficulties in developing new customers; the demand and supply outlook in the overall semiconductor / foundry industry; the sourcing strategy of potential customer base; competitor actions; the success of company technology alliances; construction progress on additional manufacturing facilities as well as associated governmental processes; the availability of components and equipment; labor and employment issues at manufacturing facilities; the progression of advances in technology and processes; and unforeseen events. The company has no duty to update any forward-looking statements in this release based on new information or events.

About Amkor

Amkor is a leading provider of semiconductor assembly and test services to semiconductor companies and electronics OEMs. More information on Amkor is available from the companya™s SEC filings and on Amkora™s website: [ www.amkor.com ].

Amkor Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical fact are considered forward-looking statements including, without limitation, statements regarding the establishment, structure, content and performance of the collaboration with GLOBALFOUNDRIES. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that could affect future results and cause actual results and events to differ materially from historical and expected results and those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to the expected benefits of the collaboration may not be realized. Other important risk factors that could affect the outcome of the events set forth in these statements and that could affect the operating results and financial condition of Amkor are discussed in Amkora™s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and in Amkora™s subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission made prior to or after the date hereof. Amkor undertakes no obligation to review or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.