Low-tech company in high-tech gamble

Article Abstract:

The Silicon Valley Group (SVG), headed by Papken S. Der Torossian, is attempting to purchase a unit of Perkin-Elmer that makes the equipment that imprints electronic circuit patterns onto silicon wafers. The process, known as photolithography, is far beyond the usual scope of SVG, which has a 'low-tech' reputation in the semiconductor industry. Perkin-Elmer has been trying to sell the unit for some time now, but the only other interested party was Nikon Corp, and pressure to prevent a Japanese firm from purchasing the unit has caused them to back out. This means that SVG may be able to purchase the unit for only $30 to $50 million, compared with the $100 million many analysts had expected. Some analysts feel SVG may be getting in over its head, but others point out the company's rapid growth and excellent management structure as positive signs.

Management, Mergers, acquisitions and divestments, Semiconductor production equipment industry, Semiconductor production equipment, Silicon Valley Group Inc., SVGI, Perkin-Elmer Corp., Financial Analysis Software, Company Profile, Acquisition, Photolithography, Der Torossian, Papken S.

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Company develops technology for faster computer chip

Article Abstract:

Rambus Inc has developed a new integrated circuit technology that can increase the speed of memory chips and computers. Rambus plans to license its technology to several Japanese manufacturers. Rambus reports that its technology can transfer information ten times as fast as chips now being used. The new technology utilizes an innovative new design in computer memory systems. The company hopes to make its money from the royalties and licensing fees, rather than from manufacturing the chips themselves. Fujitsu, NEC and Toshiba have all signed contracts acquiring licenses for the technology. Other companies are negotiating deals. Rambus hopes its new technology will become an industry standard. The technology will be used by these companies to produce dynamic random access memories (DRAMs) and other chips.

Telephone and telegraph apparatus, Radio & TV communications equipment, Electrical appliances, TV & radios, Integrated circuits, Rambus Inc., Licensing agreements, Product introduction, Fujitsu Ltd., DRAM (Dynamic random access memory), DRAM, Licensing, Marketing Strategy, New Technique, Toshiba America Consumer Products Inc., NEC America Inc.

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Technology company gets $4 million U.S. investment

Article Abstract:

The US Department of Defense will invest $4 million in Gazelle Microcircuits Inc, a small semiconductor company working on high-speed computer chips made of gallium arsenide. The investment is being made under the auspices of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa), which is a short-term experimental program intended to prevent small companies from selling their cutting-edge technology to foreign countries because they need immediate capital. It is hoped that Darpa will also earn a return on investment. Darpa will be entitled either to royalties on products developed by Gazelle or to cash payments that vary according to the value of Gazelle's stock. Darpa does not own a stake in Gazelle.

National security, Research, Investments, Powers and duties, United States. Department of Defense, Gallium arsenide semiconductor devices, Gallium Arsenide Semiconductor, Government Funding, Semiconductor Industry, Government aid, Gallium arsenide semiconductors, Gazelle Microcircuits Inc.

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