SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- In support of the worldwide launch of its poly silicon SiFusion(TM) furnaceware, Integrated Materials Inc. has recently expanded its team with the addition of Dr. Tadashi Yamamoto as senior researcher and Mr. Atsushi Kishida as director of sales. These gentlemen will strengthen Integrated Materials' R&D and sales efforts to better serve Integrated Materials' growing number of global customers.

In his role as senior scientist, Yamamoto will research the fundamental science behind the SiFusion technology to develop methodology to enhance the reliability and process efficiency. As director of sales, Kishida will focus primarily on the Japanese and Southeast Asian markets, which comprise a heavy concentration of semiconductor manufacturing.

Tadashi Yamamoto, who holds a doctorate in materials science and engineering, brings a broad background in materials science to the Integrated Materials team. With more than 20 years of experience processing and characterizing materials in research, development and manufacturing environments, Yamamoto is an expert in cutting-edge materials analysis methodology and product inspection. Previously, Yamamoto worked as a senior applications engineer at IMRA America, Inc. Among many prestigious positions in his career, he served as a research fellow at the Los Alamos National Laboratory and a visiting scientist at MIT. He holds four U.S. and 11 Japanese patents and authored numerous published papers on topics related to materials processing. Yamamoto and his colleagues received the Research and Development 100 Award for composite materials and he is a member of the Materials Research Society.

Atsushi Kishida brings more than 20 years of international business experience in managing sales, marketing, customer support, field operations and partner programs for semiconductor manufacturing equipment firms in North America and Asia. He has previously held positions with Ultratech, Lambda Physik and Lam Research. At Ultratech, Kishida managed customer support and operations in the Asia Pacific region, cross-training engineers to enhance customer support, leading to a 50 percent increase in service revenue. Kishida holds bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.

"Dr. Yamamoto and Mr. Kishida bring valuable skills honed through years of experience focused on the semiconductor manufacturing industry," said Tom Cadwell, president and CEO of Integrated Materials. "Their depth of knowledge will be a valuable resource to us as we expand efforts into the Asian market and continue to perfect the SiFusion technology."

In March of this year, Integrated Materials launched its SiFusion pure poly silicon fixtures for semiconductor fabrication furnaces, based on its patented SiFusion technology. The company is also conducting a search for a new site for its Asian manufacturing and support center to aid Integrated Materials in its growth strategy to expand services to Asian semiconductor manufacturers.

About Integrated Materials, Inc.

With its patented SiFusion(TM) technology, Integrated Materials, Inc., Sunnyvale, Calif., is the first and only company to perfect the poly silicon furnace fixtures solution sought for years by the semiconductor industry. Integrated Materials' unique family of SiFusion poly silicon furnaceware eclipses traditional quartz and silicon carbide consumables by its ability to increase yield by reducing particles in LPCVD and trace metal contamination and slip reduction in high temperature process. SiFusion furnaceware improves productivity and reduces cost with the elimination of routine cleaning. Already qualified by 200 mm and 300 mm key fabs, SiFusion products are tested, proven and available now. Integrated Materials is supported worldwide by its team of application engineers and in-country support staff. Contact an Integrated Materials representative at: 1169 Borregas Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94089, 1-408-437-7591, or visit www.integratedmaterials.com.