Silex Microsystems Signs Technology Alignment Agreement with Philips Innovation Services
Silex Microsystems, a leading MEMS pure-play foundry with its headquarters in Järfälla, Sweden, has recently entered into a Technology Alignment Agreement with MiPlaza, part of Philips Innovation Services. This agreement will enable Philips Innovation Services MiPlaza to offer customers a ‘seamless transfer’ from concept to production. At the same time, Silex will be able to offer its customer base the opportunity to work with MiPlaza on the concept phases of their projects.
Addressing customer needs
“This agreement,” explains Edjoe Osinski, Head of MiPlaza Technology Labs, “came in response to customer demand, as the ‘fab-less’ business model becomes a more and more popular approach. We perform nano- and microsystem prototyping for many of our customers, and they’ve often asked us about transferring to production, bearing in mind their end-goal of bringing product to market”.
“Our agreement with Philips Innovation Services,” says Tomas Bauer, Silex VP of and Sales and Marketing, “is perfectly aligned with our strategy to build a powerful ecosystem, facilitating the commercialization of innovative MEMS and 3D-Microchip technologies. This Technology Alignment strategy is yet another step towards standardization in the MEMS industry and will provide innovative MEMS and 3D-Microchip designs a fast route to market and volume production”.
Advanced technology platforms
Edvard Kalvesten, COO of Silex Microsystems, says “We have seen great advantages combining the advanced development power of MiPlaza Technology Labs together with Silex best-in-class 6” and 8” wafer production capability in an environment of aligned standard process modules and platforms. This collaboration is providing customers access to the most advanced technology platforms developed at both companies while at the same time generating the obvious benefits of separating early stage development from volume production in the same manufacturing line”.
This agreement is not an exclusive arrangement: customers can of course choose to work with other manufacturers if they wish. Similarly, Silex is free to choose when it is appropriate to refer to MiPlaza, case by case.
From concept to production to market
“The feedback we’ve received from our first participating customer has been very positive” says Edjoe. “The agreement offers faster time-to-market and time-to-volume by aligning the technologies of MiPlaza and Silex, ensuring that a transfer to production is as smooth as possible.”
Philips Innovation Services: http://www.innovationservices.philips.com/news/miplaza-silex-agreement-offers-customers-seamless-transfer-concept-production
