April 5, 2005 – II-VI Inc. announced that it is partnering with SemiSouth Laboratories Inc. and Mississippi State U. for the establishment of a silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductor substrate manufacturing facility in Starkville, MS.
This effort will focus on II-VI’s production capabilities in SiC substrates along with an advanced SiC epitaxial material growth technology at SemiSouth. During this process, strong technical and operational support will be provided from II-VI’s New Jersey-based Wide Bandgap Materials Group Technical Center and Headquarters, where II-VI will strengthen its research and worldwide marketing.
Earlier today, Carl J. Johnson, chairman and CEO of II-VI Incorporated noted the following during a visit to Mississippi: “Our technology and manufacturing development teams in New Jersey and Pennsylvania have made considerable advancements in the growth of single crystal SiC materials. Anticipating continued success and market growth, we are now entering a new phase of our business as we prepare for the scale-up to high volume production. II-VI is looking forward to partnering with Mississippi State University and SemiSouth in this highly productive initiative.”
II-VI Incorporated also announced that it made an investment in SemiSouth. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.