Amtech Promotes Fokko Pentinga to President of
Amtech Systems, Inc. -
JS Whang to Continue as CEO and Chairman of the Board
Strengthening Management for Future Growth
TEMPE, Arizona – March 16,
2010 – Amtech Systems,
Inc. (NASDAQ: ASYS), a global supplier of production and automation systems and
related supplies for the manufacture of solar cells, semiconductors, and silicon
wafers, today announced that Fokko Pentinga, Managing Director of Amtech Europe
and General Manager of Tempress Systems®, Inc., has been promoted
to President of Amtech Systems, Inc. The Company also entered into an amended
and restated employment agreement with J.S. Whang, who will continue as Chief
Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Amtech Systems,
Inc.
J.S. Whang, Chief
Executive Officer of Amtech, commented, “This appointment of Fokko Pentinga to
President of Amtech is another indication of our substantial growth in recent
years and, more importantly, the anticipated growth ahead of us, which calls for
a strengthening of our management depth. Fokko was instrumental in securing
Tempress’ successful R&D partnership with Yingli Green Energy Holding Co.,
LTD (NYSE: YGE) and the Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN), and
obtaining the recently announced 300MW order from Yingli. Fokko brings to the
President’s office a thorough knowledge of our technologies and products and
proven management, sales and marketing skills. I am very pleased and excited to
have him join our executive ranks. While Fokko has responsibility for all of
Amtech’s subsidiaries in his role as President, his near-term focus will be on
executing the operational ramp-up needed at our European operations to support
our tremendous backlog of solar orders.”
Mr. Pentinga has over
30 years of experience in the semiconductor and solar industries and has spent
the past 15 years as general manager of Amtech’s solar subsidiary, Tempress
Systems. In December 2008 Mr. Pentinga was appointed as Managing Director of
Amtech Europe, which is comprised of Tempress Systems in Vaassen, the
Netherlands, and R2D Automation® in Montpellier, France.
Amtech’s other subsidiaries include Bruce Technologies®, Inc. in Billerica, Massachusetts, and P.R. Hoffman® Machine Products, Inc. in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
About Amtech Systems, Inc.
Amtech Systems, Inc.
manufactures capital equipment, including silicon wafer handling automation,
thermal processing equipment, and related consumables used in fabricating solar
cells and semiconductor devices. Semiconductors, or semiconductor chips, are
fabricated on silicon wafer substrates, sliced from ingots, and are part of the
circuitry, or electronic components, of many products including solar cells,
computers, telecommunications devices, automotive products, consumer goods, and
industrial automation and control systems. The Company’s wafer handling, thermal
processing and consumable products currently address the diffusion, oxidation,
deposition, PECVD, and PSG removal steps used in the fabrication of solar cells,
semiconductors, MEMS and the polishing of newly sliced silicon wafers.
www.amtechsystems.com
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that are not historical facts may be forward looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Litigation Reform Act. Such statements may use words such
as “proposed,” "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend,"
"predict," "project" and similar expressions as they relate to Amtech Systems,
Inc. or our management. When we make forward-looking statements, we are basing
them on our management's beliefs and assumptions, using information currently
available to us. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the
forward looking statements are reasonable, these forward-looking statements are
subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions including the risks discussed
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these risks materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect,
actual results may vary materially from what we projected. Any forward looking
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respect to future events and are subject to these and other risks, uncertainties
and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth
strategy and liquidity. We have no intention, and disclaim any obligation, to
update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future results or otherwise.
Contacts:
Amtech Systems, Inc
Bradley C.
Anderson
Chief Financial Officer
(480) 967-5146
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