Kuching-based state-owned wafer foundry 1st Silicon (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd has announced what it described as 'record-breaking results' following its recent teaming up with a German foundry X-FAB Semiconductor Foundaries AG (X-FAB).
In a four-paragraph press statement issued yesterday, the 1998-incorporated company said it had grown "exponentially over the last eight years" and that "it has continued its tradition of creating breakthrough performances."

The statement said that this quarter, 1st Silicon has created record-breaking results in:

1) Highest number of wafer volumes shipped for the month and quarter

2) Record sales achieved for the month and quarter

3) Record bookings received for the month and quarter

4) Highest number of production customers

5) Record cash generated from operations for the month and quarter

6) Lowest cost per wafer for the month and quarter

The company's statement did not give numbers or percentages, however, for each of the 'record-breaking results.'

1st Silicon chief executive officer Dr John Nelson said: "We are extremely excited to announce these results which are attributable to the hard work and full dedication of our chairman (JC Fong),management and staff."

"We expect new records for each quarter as we progress through 2006," he added.

'Stupid, no brains'

1st Silicon is to be merged with the Germany foundry and the move is widely believed to prevent the prospects of 1st Silicon being forced to close down following heavy losses estimated at of RM2.5 billion on an accumulated basis since it started operations at Sama Jaya Free Trade Zone on the outskirts of Kuching.

Meanwhile, an British-trained local accountant who requested anonymity told malaysiakini that "it looks like 1st Silicon is treating the readers as mugs - an English expression for very stupid person, a mug is a cup, no brains. Excuse me for the explanation."

"Financial results will also have comparision to last year's result, eg compare
quarter results for same quarter last year. Each ctaegory will have such
comparision.

"All financial results will show sales, margin and percentage achieved, total costs comparisions. When they say that they produced the lowest cost per wafer, who are they comparing against? What is the benchmark?" he asked.