May 15, 2006 – Applied Materials Inc. announced that it has signed an agreement to create a joint venture company with Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co. Ltd. (Screen) to deliver track solutions for customers’ critical semiconductor manufacturing requirements.
The new company, to be called Sokudo Co. Ltd., will be headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, and will bring together the resources and capabilities of Screen and Applied Materials.
Sokudo will operate as a separate entity having its own management structure, with 52% owned by Screen and 48% owned by Applied Materials. Screen will transfer into the new company its existing track business and related intellectual property, including employees, products and its installed base of systems. Applied’s contribution will include technology and related intellectual property, key development employees and approximately $151 million.
Screen will perform manufacturing for Sokudo under an outsourcing agreement. Formation of the company is expected to be finalized in July.