About SPT Company Information

History of SPT

Company Timeline

1984
Electrotech Ltd. establishes Special Research Systems (SRS) in Bristol, UK, as a subsidiary.
1989
SRS changes its name to Surface Technology Systems (STS) Ltd. and relocates to South Wales, UK.
1993
Sumitomo Precision Products becomes the exclusive distributor for STS in Japan.
1995
Sumitomo Precision Products acquires STS and ships the world’s first Bosch-process-compatible silicon deep etching system.
2009
Sumitomo Precision Products acquires parts of Aviza Technology, Inc. and establishes SPP Process Technology Systems (SPTS), integrating the STS business.
2011
SPTS acquires DRIE business from Tegal Corporation. Sumitomo Precision Products transfers its UK subsidiary, SPTS, and Sumitomo Precision Process Technology to the newly established SPTS Technologies, led by the current management and investment firm Bridgepoint. A joint venture, “SPP Technologies,” is established in Japan between Sumitomo Precision Products and SPTS Technologies.
2015
SPTS expands its business by acquiring TP technology business.

History of Development

1989
Development of the semiconductor manufacturing system IX200 for research purposes begins.
1992
Sales of IX200 commence. Exclusive agency agreement with STS Ltd. (now SPTS Technologies) in the UK.
1993
STS Ltd. (now SPTS Technologies) begins joint development with Bosch GmbH (Germany).
1994
Bosch Switching Process patented in the US.
1995
STS Ltd. acquires Electrotech Ltd. (UK). Ships three Bosch-process-based silicon deep etching systems to Japan, the US, and Europe.
2001
Starts production of the domestic silicon deep etching system ASE MUC-21.
2003
Primaxx Inc. (US) and XACTIX Inc. (US) begin domestic sales of sacrificial layer etching equipment.
2007
Primaxx Inc. (sacrificial oxide etching equipment) is acquired. STS Ltd. becomes a 100% subsidiary again.
2009
Aviza Technology Inc. (US) business acquisition. SPP Process Technology Systems Ltd. (SPTS) is established, integrating Aviza and STS businesses. Begins shipping 300mm-compatible silicon deep etching system ASE-Pegasus300 to major research institutions worldwide.
2011
SPTS (UK) acquires DRIE business from Tegal Corporation. Share transfer of SPTS (UK) (MBO). A joint venture between Sumitomo Precision Products and the new SPTS Technologies establishes “SPP Technologies” in Japan.
2015
SPTS (UK) transfers its Thermal Products business (US) to SPT USA and begins operations.
2020
Headquarters relocated to new address: 4th Floor, Sumitomo Corporation Takebashi Building, 1-2-2 Hitotsubashi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.