Prior to joining Photronics, Mr. Chin was a senior manager at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the semiconductor industry�s largest foundry operator. Having served in a variety of sales & marketing, planning and manufacturing positions, Mr. Chin�s career at TSMC enabled him to develop a broad range operational, technical and management expertise that have served to distinguish him as one of the foundry industry�s foremost experts. In addition to his experiences at TSMC, Mr. Chin held positions of increasing responsibility with leading semiconductor manufacturing companies including LSI Logic and Fujitsu Microelectronics
�Asia is an integral part of Photronics� global network. The Company has clearly differentiated itself as the leading service provider and has more recently asserted itself as a technology leader in this region,� noted Mr. Chin. �Combining these two critical elements together has enabled Photronics to grow at an accelerated rate in this rapidly growing region and fully leverage Photronics� global growth strategy as an increasing number of European, Japanese and North American semiconductor companies implement a fabless and fablite strategy.�
Mr. Fego commented, �The Asian region represents a strategically significant growth opportunity for Photronics over the next decade. We are fortunate to have recruited an executive of John�s caliber and experience onto our team. He is a leader that shares our team�s vision and focus on customer service and who will not only help us reach our goals, but then set new ones with each success.�
Mr. Chin received his Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering degree from San Jose State University in California and his Bachelor�s of Science degree in Physics from Soochow University in Taipei. He is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and International Society for Optical Engineering (SPIE).
Photronics is a leading worldwide manufacturer of photomasks. Photomasks are high precision quartz plates that contain microscopic images of electronic circuits. A key element in the manufacture of semiconductors, photomasks are used to transfer circuit patterns onto semiconductor wafers during the fabrication of integrated circuits. They are produced in accordance with circuit designs provided by customers at strategically located manufacturing facilities in Asia, Europe, and North America. Additional information on the Company can be accessed at http://www.photronics.com.
� Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements in this release are considered "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. In particular, any statement contained in this release regarding the consummation and benefits of future acquisitions, expectations with respect to future sales, financial performance, operating efficiencies and product expansion, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. These factors may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from anticipated results, performances or achievements. Factors that might affect such forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, overall economic and business conditions; the demand and receipt of orders for the Company's products; competitive factors in the industries and geographic markets in which the Company competes; changes in federal, state and foreign tax requirements (including tax rate changes, new tax laws and revised tax law interpretations); the Company's ability to place new equipment in service on a timely basis; interest rate fluctuations and other capital market conditions, including foreign currency rate fluctuations; economic and political conditions in international markets; the ability to obtain a new bank facility or other financings; the ability to achieve anticipated synergies and other cost savings in connection with acquisitions and productivity programs; the timing, impact and other uncertainties of future acquisitions and investments; the seasonal and cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry; the availability of capital; management changes; damage or destruction to our facilities by natural disasters, labor strikes, political unrest or terrorist activity; the ability to fully utilize its tools; the ability of the Company to receive desired yields, pricing, product mix, and market acceptance of its products; changes in technology; and other risks and uncertainties set forth in the Company�s SEC filings from time to time. Any forward-looking statements should be considered in light of these factors. The Company assumes no obligation to update the information in this release.
Photronics, Inc