Photronics Promotes Zafar Ahmad to Vice President-North America
November 25 2003 - 1:03PM
PR Newswire (US)
Photronics Promotes Zafar Ahmad to Vice President-North America
AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Photronics, Inc. ,
the world's leading sub-wavelength reticle solutions supplier
announced that Zafar Ahmad has been promoted to the position of
Vice President-North America. Having recently served as Director of
Operations at Photronics' Austin facility, Mr. Ahmad has assembled
an impressive list of accomplishments, which include directing the
installation and qualification of 130nm process technology and its
integration into manufacturing at the Austin site. His leadership
skills and focus on improving manufacturing efficiencies in
advanced technologies and the cultivation of strategic customer
relationships has vastly improved the competitive position of both
the Austin site and the North American regional network. He will
report to Paul J. Fego, President and Chief Operating Officer. As a
member of the Photronics team for the last five years, Mr. Ahmad
has also served as the Site Director at Photronics' Manchester, UK
facility. His experience with advanced technology manufacturing was
crucial to successfully installing the Company's European 130
nanometer and below tool and processes and ascertaining customer
qualifications at and below 120 nanometers. This enabled Photronics
to become the first European photomask supplier to offer Embedded
Attenuated Phase Shift Mask (EAPSM) and process capabilities and
establish Photronics as the leading edge mask manufacturing
facility in Europe. Paul J. Fego commented, "We feel that the
combination of Zafar's leadership and broad base of advanced
technology manufacturing expertise has been an integral part of the
Company's global success. In his previous roles, he has helped pave
the way for Photronics' global success. Now as the North American
semiconductor industry gathers momentum during its transition to
smaller technology nodes, his experience directing two of the
Company's most advanced facilities will play a major part in
Photronics' ability to provide superior technology and customer
service in an increasingly competitive global marketplace." Prior
to joining Photronics, Mr. Ahmad served as Manufacturing Manager at
Samsung's start-up wafer fab in Austin. There, he was recognized
with the company's prestigious Founder's Award. In addition, Mr.
Ahmad held various manufacturing positions of increasing
responsibility at Texas Instruments for 25 years. Mr. Ahmad
commented, "Today, semiconductor designers and manufacturers are
looking to their photomask suppliers for critical and cost
effective lithography solutions. Photronics, with its strong
regional presence in North America is capable of providing cost
effective solutions for both the very advanced and mature
technology markets. More importantly, our service and performance
to schedule provides our customers with the time to market
solutions that generate success in their end markets." He added,
"We have many opportunities for success provided we remain focused
on the customers' requirements and deliver the most cost effective
solution. I am looking forward to this new role with the Company
and will continue to build upon the characteristics that have made
Photronics a success-execution and customer service." Mr. Ahmad
holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Houston and
lives in Austin, Texas. Photronics is a leading worldwide
manufacturer of photomasks. Photomasks are high precision quartz
plates that contain microscopic images of electronic circuits. A
key element in the manufacture of semiconductors, photomasks are
used to transfer circuit patterns onto semiconductor wafers during
the fabrication of integrated circuits. They are produced in
accordance with circuit designs provided by customers at
strategically located manufacturing facilities in Asia, Europe, and
North America. Additional information on the Company can be
accessed at http://www.photronics.com/. "Safe Harbor" Statement
under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain
statements in this release are considered "forward looking
statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. All forward-looking statements involve risks
and uncertainties. In particular, any statement contained in this
release regarding the consummation and benefits of future
acquisitions, expectations with respect to future sales, financial
performance, operating efficiencies and product expansion, are
subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Company.
These factors may cause actual results, performance or achievements
to differ materially from anticipated results, performances or
achievements. Factors that might affect such forward looking
statements include, but are not limited to, overall economic and
business conditions; the demand and receipt of orders for the
Company's products; competitive factors in the industries and
geographic markets in which the Company competes; changes in
federal, state and foreign tax requirements (including tax rate
changes, new tax laws and revised tax law interpretations); the
Company's ability to place new equipment in service on a timely
basis; interest rate fluctuations and other capital market
conditions, including foreign currency rate fluctuations; economic
and political conditions in international markets; the ability to
obtain a new bank facility or other financings; the ability to
achieve anticipated synergies and other cost savings in connection
with acquisitions and productivity programs; the timing, impact and
other uncertainties of future acquisitions and investments; the
seasonal and cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry; the
availability of capital; management changes; damage or destruction
to our facilities by natural disasters, labor strikes, political
unrest or terrorist activity; the ability to fully utilize its
tools; the ability of the Company to receive desired yields,
pricing, product mix, and market acceptance of its products;
changes in technology; and other risks and uncertainties set forth
in the Company's SEC filings from time to time. Any forward-looking
statements should be considered in light of these factors. The
Company assumes no obligation to update the information in this
release. Sub-Wavelength Reticle Solutions is a trademark of
Photronics, Inc. DATASOURCE: Photronics, Inc. CONTACT: Michael W.
McCarthy, VP- Corporate Communications of Photronics, Inc.,
+1-203-775-9000, ; or Jane Ryan, Account Director of MCA,
+1-650-968-8900, , for Photronics, Inc. Web site:
http://www.photronics.com/
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