Tainan, Taiwan–In a ceremony today, Applied Materials, Inc. marked the opening of its Tainan Technology Extension Center in Taiwan’s Tainan Science-based Industrial Park. The Tainan campus operations will focus on research and development and manufacturing of key semiconductor equipment components, according to the company, as well as provide customers with advanced manufacturing process support and technical training. The construction of an additional manufacturing center in early 2001 will complete the first phase of construction on the company’s Tainan campus.

“Taiwan has been a driving force in the global semiconductor industry and an important part of Applied Materials’ business for more than a decade,” says James C. Morgan, chairman and chief executive officer of Applied Materials. “Our investment in this advanced R&D, service and manufacturing center represents Applied Materials’ commitment to enhancing the competitiveness of our customers and suppliers here while expanding our manufacturing and support capabilities throughout Taiwan.”