Meyer Burger Technology AG (SWX Swiss Exchange: MBTN) announced today that the company has won a major contract for slicing saws from Glory Silicon Energy Co., Ltd, in China. The order consists of three phases. The first phase amounts to just over CHF 35 million, the second and third phases making up the rest. Glory Silicon Energy is planning the new build of a wafer production facility for mono-crystalline silicon wafers that will have a total capacity of approximately 1.3 GW when completed. Meyer Burger’s wire saws shall be used in the entire wafer manufacturing chain for the high-precision slicing of the valuable silicon bricks into thin slices, the so-called wafers, with a thin wire. China is one of the strongest growth markets, and, with this announcement of its success, Meyer Burger underlines its strategy of becoming a world leading system provider of wafer production facilities in the solar industry.
Glory Silicon Energy (Zhenjiang) Co., Ltd, is a newly established company with its production facility in the city of Yangzhong, in the Chinese province of Jiangsu. It was founded by various investors, including the Huantai Corporation. Huantai was one of the first Chinese businesses to get into the production of solar wafers. Since its foundation in 2004 Huantai has been slicing the valuable ingots and wafers with Meyer and Burger wire and band saws. Huantai Corporation is the biggest supplier of crystalline silicon wafers for Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. (NYSE: STP), the largest solar cell manufacturer in China.
"We are proud to be able to support Glory Silicon Energy in its forward-looking major project with our wire saws and our expertise in slicing valuable crystalline silicon" confirmed Peter Pauli, Meyer Burger’s CEO. "The size of this wafer plant sets new standards and we are pleased to be able to actively support Glory Silicon Energy with this successful implementation".
"As a result of the many years of cooperation, the great experience and the continually good service support from Meyer Burger we are convinced that we have a successful partnership" said Glory Silicon Energy’s Dr. Wang Lua Bao. "In the future too we shall be pleased to work together with Meyer Burger as a reliable partner".
About Meyer Burger Technology Ltd
http://www.meyerburger.ch/
Meyer Burger Technology Ltd is a leading and globally active technology group for innovative systems and processes for cutting and handling crystalline and other high-grade materials.
The machines, competences and technologies of the different companies in the group are used in the solar industry (photovoltaics), semi-conductor and optical industry. The thinnest wafers made from silicon, sapphire or other crystals are required in these three markets to manufacture solar modules, switching circuits or high-performance LEDs. The group’s core competences are made up of a whole range of production processes, machines and systems that are used within the value chain in the manufacture of high quality wafers. The comprehensive range of products is complemented by a worldwide service network with wear and tear parts, consumables, re-grooving service, process know-how, servicing, after-sales service, training and other services. As a globally active company, the group is represented in Europe, Asia and North America in the respective key markets.
Meyer Burger has its headquarters and the production facility of Meyer Burger Ltd in Switzerland, while the group companies, Meyer Burger Automation GmbH, Hennecke Systems GmbH and and AMB Apparate + Maschinenbau GmbH, have their headquarters and production facilities in Germany. The group also has subsidiaries and own service centres in Germany, Norway, China and Japan, which all are represented by its own staff on-site. In Taiwan and the USA, Meyer Burger works with independent sales and service partners that are part of Meyer Burger’s global service network. In other important countries the company relies on selected independent agents. Meyer Burger generated net sales of CHF 455 million in fiscal year 2008 and employed more than 630 staff worldwide as of year end 2008.
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