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Breed Opens Silicon Micromachined Sensor Manufacturing Plant

3 September 1998

Breed Opens World's Largest Silicon Micromachined Sensor Manufacturing Plant

    HELSINKI, Finland, Sept. 3 -- BREED Technologies, Inc,
, a global leader in the design, development and production of
automotive occupant safety systems, today announced the grand opening of FAB 2
-- the world's largest facility dedicated exclusively to silicon micromachined
sensor manufacturing.
    Located in Helsinki, Finland, the 11,700 square meter (126,000 square
feet) facility was constructed to provide expanded capacity for BREED
subsidiary VTI Hamlin's growing production requirements.  VTI Hamlin is one of
the world's premier suppliers of micromachined silicon capacitive sensors, and
is fast becoming the automotive industry's dominant supplier of accelerometers
for ABS and stability management systems.
    "BREED is known throughout the world for our technological expertise,"
stated BREED's Vice Chairman, President and Chief Operating Officer, Charles
J. Speranzella.  "The investments we have made in VTI Hamlin, and the
extraordinary design of this new structure, reflect our commitment to
remaining on the cutting edge of technology.   Our joint venture with Siemens
AG -- BREED Siemens Restraint Systems -- will provide added opportunities for
growth in micromachined silicon capacitive sensor sales."
    FAB 2 is equipped to produce 10 million acceleration, pressure or yaw
rate-sensing elements annually, with enough expansion capacity for annual
production of up to 50 million sensing elements a year.
    The facility was designed to simplify the complicated cyclical flow of
semiconductor processes while maximizing visual control of production.  The
traditional approach to this manufacturing process utilizes a clean room,
featuring a web of service fingers that support the individual process steps.
In contrast, FAB 2 houses the world's first octagonal class 10 lithography
station, which is surrounded by a class 100 processing area.  This unique
approach facilitates shorter throughput times, higher yields and optimum
operator productivity.
    VTI Hamlin is a leading supplier of silicon capacitive sensors serving
automotive and industrial customers worldwide by providing motion measurement
in application areas of: acceleration, motion, shock, vibration, inclination
and pressure.  VTI Hamlin was formed in June 1995 by BREED Technologies Inc.,
a worldwide leader in design, development, manufacture and sale of automotive
crash sensors and airbag systems.  More information about VTI Hamlin and its
products can be found on the Internet at http://www.vti.fi.