Aviza Technology Ships Omega fxP Etch System to STMicroelectronics.

Deep Silicon Etch System to Be Used for MEMS Manufacturing in ST Agrate's 200mm Fab

SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif. -- Aviza Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVZA), a supplier of advanced semiconductor capital equipment and process technologies for the global semiconductor industry and related markets, today announced it has shipped its Omega fxP deep silicon (DSi) etch system to STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM). The system is being used for manufacturing leading-edge MEMS (Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems) devices at ST's new 200mm facility in Agrate, Italy; Europe's first 200mm volume production MEMS fabrication plant.

The Omega DSi system is equipped with 4 process modules, each capable of multiple applications for volume production. The principle applications are high-rate etching (greater than 30 micron/min) of deep cavities that encapsulate MEMS devices, and etching deep trenches stopping on an oxide isolation layer.

"During the selection process, Aviza was able to demonstrate their technical capabilities and meet our production requirements for two key etch processes," said Patrizia Introini, General Manager of ST's Agrate Manufacturing Operation. "In addition, Aviza has demonstrated fast response times and a strong global service and support infrastructure, which are very important criteria for our suppliers. These factors made Aviza the ideal candidate to support STMicroelectronics' etch technology requirements for MEMS manufacturing."

The number of consumer applications incorporating MEMS devices continues to grow, including microphones in cell phones, accelerometers and gyroscopes in consumer gaming applications, optical MEMS for TVs, and automotive sensors. As of 2006, the European MEMS manufacturers represented 16-percent market share, or $6 billion, of the global MEMS market (Source: SEMI, November 2006). Overall market figures have indicated growth forecast of about 100% in the five years from 2005 to 2010, with the worldwide MEMS market approaching $10 billion by 2010.

"STMicroelectronics is a valued customer and long-term partner of Aviza. We are very pleased that they have selected our deep silicon etch system for volume production of MEMS devices," said Kevin Crofton, Vice President and General Manager, PVD/CVD/Etch Business Unit of Aviza Technology, Inc. "STMicroelectronics is at the forefront of MEMS device manufacturing and our deep silicon-etch technology offers a unique solution for this growth market."

About Omega fxP

Omega fxP is a cluster system designed for high volume production that offers up to six process modules, combined with wafer alignment, cool-down and two vacuum cassette stations. The system provides high throughput for the high volume user or the option to "mix and match" different plasma sources so that advanced sequential etching processes can be addressed. Key applications for Omega include highly controlled Si trench etch plus metal and oxide etch for power devices, deep silicon etch and bulk silicon removal for MEMS and Wafer Level Packaging.

Safe Harbor 

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on our management's current expectations and beliefs and involve numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. You should not rely upon these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events because we cannot assure you that the events or circumstances reflected in these statements will be achieved or will occur. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the statements made by Kevin Crofton and all statements containing the words "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "intends," "plans," "estimates" or "anticipates" or the negative of these words and phrases or other variations of these words and phrases or comparable terminology. Many factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements. Some of these factors and other important factors are detailed in our various Securities and Exchange Commission filings, particularly in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as amended, copies of which are available from us without charge. Please review these filings and do not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements.

About Aviza Technology, Inc.

Aviza Technology, Inc. designs, manufactures, sells and supports advanced semiconductor capital equipment and process technologies for the global semiconductor industry and related markets. The company's systems are used in a variety of segments of the semiconductor market, such as advanced silicon for memory devices, advanced 3-D packaging and power integrated circuits for communications. Aviza's common stock is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Global Market (NASDAQ GM: AVZA). Aviza is headquartered in Scotts Valley, Calif., with manufacturing, R&D, sales and customer support facilities located in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Taiwan, China, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Malaysia. Additional information about the company can be found at http://www.aviza.com.