Jan. 17, 2002 – Migdal Haemek, Israel – Tower Semiconductor has successfully completed the installation of a pilot production line for its new 0.18-micron process technology.

The completion of the new pilot line, constructed in Tower’s Fab 1, marks the achievement of another phase in Tower’s Fab 2 project. The pilot line includes close to 100 semiconductor manufacturing tools at an overall cost of approximately $130 million. The installation of the pilot line, including the transfer and development of all process steps of Tower’s 0.18-micron process technology, was accomplished on schedule, according to Tower.

The company began processing various test products in the pilot line in order to complete the transfer of its Toshiba-based standard logic 0.18-micron process technology. In preparation for volume production at Fab 2, the company plans to manufacture prototypes for its customers in the pilot line.

“Operating the pilot line is a major step towards the realization of the Fab 2 vision,” said Yoav Nissan-Cohen, Tower’s co-CEO. “The pilot line will serve an important role in the transfer and qualification of the our 0.18-micron technology and development of Tower specialized technologies prior to the beginning of Fab 2 operations.”