FEB. 4–BELMONT, Calif.–Nikon Corp. says it will build a new worldwide training center here to meet the growing demand for training from English-speaking countries around the world.

The facility is being designed for a capacity of more than 500 classes per year. It will house several leading-edge steppers and scanners in an advanced cleanroom designed to meet the stringent particle and contamination levels required for sub 90 nm lithography applications. To ensure the quality of the training is world-class, all class rooms will be designed to use new computer-based training (CBT) technologies. Hands-on training will occur in the cleanroom using advanced lithography equipment valued at tens of millions of dollars. When completed, the training facilities in Belmont will have a value of more than $70 million.

Nikon plans to move equipment into the building by December of this year, with classes planned to start by February 2005.

“Nikon shipped substantially more new systems and introduced more new products than any other lithography company in 2003. We need to increase our training capacity to meet our customers’ growing requirements,” stated Geoff Wild, CEO of Nikon Precision Inc. He continued, “Nikon is committed to providing the industry’s best support for our customers. The investment in this new facility will help our customers to produce more output from their fabs.”