AT&S Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik AG: AT&S lays foundations for further growth in the high-end PCB market

AT&S has made major achievements in enhancing its competitive position

Leoben (pta013/01.03.2011/10:00 UTC+1) Over the past few months, AT&S Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik Aktiengesellschaft has made major strides towards its goal of consolidating its competitive lead. The Group is successfully pursuing various forward looking initiatives that reflect core elements of the corporate strategy - namely defending its technology leadership and promoting sustainable, profitable growth. Today's news that AT&S has secured a site for a facility in Chongqing, in the Liangjiang Development Zone in southwestern China, is another significant step forward in the ongoing process of expanding capacity and driving forward dynamic growth.

"Our recent technology cooperation signed agreements with two of the most important global players in the electronic industry to give our technology portfolio a uniquely comprehensive dimension. For AT&S, these are major milestones in our corporate development and will significantly enhance our competitive capabilities," explains AT&S CEO Andreas Gerstenmayer.

AT&S's determination to be at the forefront of the technology cycle is welcomed by its customers, as proved in December. In a collaborative joint venture with an international semiconductor maker, AT&S became one of the first high-tech printed circuit board manufacturers worldwide to successfully introduce its proprietary ECP® (embedded component packaging) technology with customers in the mobile devices industry. The licensing agreement with Panasonic Electronic Devices Co Ltd announced last week means that AT&S is the first manufacturer to use and market the state-of-the-art ALIVH technology worldwide. This combines significant advantages in miniaturisation, environmental protection and production efficiency. It also enables AT&S to meet many of its customers' most crucial requirements. The licence gives AT&S access to a mature technology that can be introduced in the marketplace immediately and implemented in customers' applications. Andreas Gerstenmayer is very enthusiastic about the agreement: "Collaboration with a customer as important and successful as Panasonic is a great deal, and the technology holds the promise of almost unlimited potential in the years to come," he explains.

The option for a new plot in the development zone Liangjiang is another major step in the pursuit of future growth. The total area of the site is about 120,000 m2, roughly the same size as the Shanghai plot. It will enable AT&S to expand its capacities to match market developments and meet customer needs. "Sustained and profitable growth and further diversification of our customer portfolio are very much part of our strategic goals. Securing this site, with all its unrivalled advantages, is a clear signal to our customers of our drive for growth, something which is of vital importance to them. We are showing our unequivocal commitment to support our customers in their future growth strategy," Gerstenmayer comments.

Chongqing is situated in southwestern China at the junction of the Jialing River with the Yangtze, and is about 1,800 kilometres from Shanghai. The decision in favour of Chongqing was strongly influenced by the existing high level of industrialisation in the region and the presence of a highly qualified workforce. The municipality of Chongqing has a population of nearly 30 million people and a large number of universities and research institutions. China has been using its "Go West" strategy to promote and drive forward growth in this region in particular since 1999.

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Emitter:	AT&S Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik AG Fabriksgasse 13 8700 Leoben Austria
Contact Person:	Mag. Martin Theyer
Phone:	+43 3842 2005909
E-Mail:	m.theyer@ats.net
Website:	www.ats.net
ISIN(s):	AT0000969985 (Share)
Stock Exchange(s):	Vienna Stock Exchange