Withtech in talks with YMTC for equipment supply 

Semiconductor and display particle contamination monitoring equipment maker Withtech was in talks with YMTC of China and TSMC of Taiwan for a potential supply deal, the company said on Tuesday.

Overseas clients account for 47% of the company’s sales __ it plans to expand this further buy winning more orders companies in Greater China such as CSMT, SMIC and UMC, moang others.

Withtech CEO Yoo Seoung-kyo said the company was planning to supply a demo equipment to TSMC. The CEO also said if the deal with YMTC pulls through the company will began supplying its equipment to the Chinese semiconductor company next year.

Withtech was founded in December 2013. It specializes in process monitoring equipment for semiconductor and displays. 

Chemical contamination from gases and steams with particles around 0.2nm to 3nm are one of the main causes of defects in semiconductors and display panels that are daily becoming smaller and thinner. 

Withtech’s equipment has a highly sensitive ion chromatography installed that allows for real-time and automated process analysis. 

The company’s customers include Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. It has supplied its goods to SK Hynix from 2004 to now. It was registered as a supplier to Samsung in 2006. 

Samsung Electronics accounted for 27% of its sales in 2019 and SK Hynix 24.5%. Withtech’s other customers include SK Siltron, LG Display and DB HiTek.

Withtech’s export began to increase in 2016. In 2017, sales from exports accounted for 16% of its total but this has increased to 47% in 2019. It has Micron, GlobalFounderies, BOE and CSOT as clients.

Withtech said its equipment allows to monitor seven key chemicals and is price competitive, making it attractive for overseas customers that are more use to using equipment that can only detect one kind of chemical.

Withtech’s competitors include Spectris of the UK, Horiba of Japan and ABB of Switzerland. 

The company will be listed on KOSDAQ at the end of the month. It is offering 1.06 million shares. Asking price is between 21,000 won and 25,000 won. Withtech is aiming to secure 26.5 billion won from the IPO. Around 9 billion won will be used to invest in radioactive water processing technology, a new growth area for the company. Demand forecast from institutional investors will run from October 14 to October 15. It will get retail orders from October 20 to October 21. It will then list on KOSDAQ. Hana Finance Investment in underwriting the deal.

Last year, Withtech posted 12.7 billion won in operating profits and 58.9 billion won in sales. It has grown for 17 straight years since its founding. The company has a production capacity of 240 equipment units per year.