Founded in 1979 as an engineering consulting company, Fortrend specialized in automation system design for the semiconductor industry. Since 1989 Fortrend has supplied automation equipment for semiconductor device manufacturers, photo mask suppliers and original equipment manufacturers (OEM抯). Fortrend provides the essential automation connections between different equipment and the factory delivery system.
Since taking over the company in 2002, Fortrend抯 new management foresaw the reticle automation will be a fast growing niche market as semiconductor fabs, both existing 200 mm and new 300 mm, begin implementing submicron line widths. Due to this vision and large investment in new technologies during the past two years, Fortrend抯 reticle Standard Mechanical Interface (SMIF) automation technologies and innovative reticle stocker solutions have received great acceptance from many major semiconductor fabs in US and Asia.
Based upon our modular designs we provide stand-alone equipment, modular components, as well as equipment capable of being easily integrated into processing tools reliably to effect fab抯 space and production cost savings. We provide the expertise in automation and let customers focus on the process. In addition, our custom engineering expertise allows us to meet customers]challenges and numerous configuration requirements with cost effective solutions.