Gov. Gregoire�s statement on SEH America expansion in Vancouver

For Immediate Release: December 16, 2011

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today issued the following statement after meeting with executives from SEH America, who notified her that the company will be installing production capability of epitaxial silicon wafers at its production facility in Vancouver. The decision to make this movement in Washington state is in direct response to a one-on-one meeting between Gregoire and Shin-Etsu Chemical Chairman, Chihiro Kanagawa during a recent trade mission to Japan:

�This is wonderful news for Vancouver, and the entire state of Washington. This important investment in manufacturing technology will allow Washington state to retain its leadership in semi-conductor manufacturing and is a vote of confidence in our skilled labor force and positive business climate.

�I look forward to building on the partnership that Washington has developed with Shin-Etsu and Dr. Kanagawa.�

The SEH America site produces some of the largest and most sophisticated silicon wafers produced in North America. The investment will involve production of the epitaxial 300 mm wafer which is used in advanced electronic items. Production equipment is being shipped from Japan with qualification order samples expected in the first quarter of 2012.