Welcome to our dedicated page for Acm Research news (Ticker: ACMR), a resource for investors and traders seeking the latest updates and insights on Acm Research stock.
Overview
ACM Research, Inc. is a pioneering company specializing in the design, manufacture, and sale of advanced semiconductor process equipment. Established in 1998 and headquartered in Fremont, California, ACM Research has built a robust reputation in developing innovative single-wafer wet cleaning equipment, as well as advanced packaging systems that are critical to modern chip fabrication.
Industry and Market Position
Operating in the highly competitive semiconductor equipment industry, ACM Research addresses the critical need for precision cleaning and packaging in the production of integrated circuits. Their products are engineered to enhance manufacturing yields and ensure process reliability for a variety of semiconductor devices including logic, foundry, and memory chips. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as megasonic cleaning and advanced etching solutions, the company meets the rigorous demands of fabricators striving for higher integration density and cost-effectiveness.
Business Model and Operations
The company generates revenue primarily through the sale of its high-performance cleaning and packaging tools, marketed under the Ultra C brand name. Its products are sold both directly via its own sales force and indirectly through third-party representatives, ensuring a wide market reach across different geographic regions. ACM Research’s solutions are distinctly designed for single-wafer as well as batch processing, featuring capabilities that extend from front-end cleaning operations to back-end assembly and packaging processes.
Technology and Innovation
At the heart of ACM Research’s offerings is its commitment to technological excellence and innovation. The firm’s single-wafer wet cleaning systems employ space alternated phase of megasonic waves to deliver uniform cleaning on both flat and patterned wafer surfaces at a microscopic level. This novel approach not only improves product yields but also ensures process consistency across a range of advanced nodes. Furthermore, their advanced equipment for bevel etching and copper residue removal plays a pivotal role in maintaining the integrity of semiconductor devices during the packaging stage.
Product Applications and Customer Impact
ACM Research’s equipment is essential for multiple steps in semiconductor manufacturing. Fabricators use its solutions to optimize cleaning, perform precise etching, and enhance electrochemical plating processes. This versatility positions ACM Research as a critical partner to chip manufacturers looking to meet the stringent quality demands of modern semiconductor fabrication. Customers in industries ranging from dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) to 3D NAND-flash memory chips benefit from its high-performance tools that are engineered for both efficiency and reliability.
Competitive Differentiation
What sets ACM Research apart in the semiconductor process equipment space is its focus on customized, process-specific solutions that address the unique challenges of wafer-level manufacturing. Its patented technologies and innovative design approaches ensure high cleaning accuracy, reduced contamination risks, and enhanced process yield across various applications. This technical edge, combined with a global direct sales network and robust after-sales support, has cemented its position among established players in the market.
Commitment to Quality and Process Optimization
ACM Research maintains a steadfast commitment to delivering cost-effective and efficient process solutions. Their equipment not only enhances the overall productivity and yield of semiconductor manufacturing but also supports the industry's continuous drive for higher precision and integration density. Through rigorous R&D and quality assurance programs, ACM Research has consistently demonstrated its expertise and trustworthiness as a technology provider.
Conclusion
In summary, ACM Research, Inc. is a key contributor to the semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem through its advanced wafer cleaning, etching, and packaging solutions. Its focus on technological innovation, combined with a well-established operational model, makes it a vital partner for manufacturers aiming to improve efficiency and product yield in an increasingly demanding industry landscape.
ACM Research (NASDAQ: ACMR) has appointed Charlie Pappis to its Board of Directors, effective March 15, 2025. This addition expands the board to five members, supporting ACM's long-term growth strategy. Pappis brings over 40 years of semiconductor industry leadership experience, currently serving as President of Pappis Consulting.
A semiconductor industry veteran, Pappis previously held executive leadership roles during a 30+ year tenure at a major U.S.-based semiconductor equipment company. He holds a BS in Materials Science from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and an Executive MBA from Stanford University.
The appointment aligns with ACM's mission to become a key supplier of capital equipment to major global semiconductor companies, with particular focus on increasing investments and business expansion in the U.S. market beyond mainland China.
ACM Research (NASDAQ: ACMR), a provider of wafer processing solutions for semiconductor and advanced packaging applications, has announced its participation in the 37th Annual ROTH Conference in Dana Point, California.
The event is scheduled for March 17, 2025, where the company's management team will be available to engage with institutional investors through one-on-one and small group meetings. Interested institutional investors can arrange meetings through ROTH sales representatives.
ACM Research (NASDAQ: ACMR) announced the qualification of its Single-Wafer High-Temperature Sulfuric Peroxide Mixture (SPM) tool by a major logic device manufacturer in China. The company has delivered SPM tools to thirteen customers, featuring a proprietary nozzle design that prevents acid mist splatter and improves system performance.
The tool supports wet etching and wafer cleaning for both front- and back-end processes at 28-nanometer and below technology nodes. It operates at various temperature ranges, from 90°C for sulfuric acid cleaning to 190°C for metal lift-off processes. Key features include a multi-level heating method maintaining temperatures above 230℃ and superior particle control with fewer than 10 particles at 26nm.
The system includes an inline chemical mixing system and can be integrated with ACM's SAPS and TEBO megasonic technologies for enhanced organic contaminant removal.
ACM Research (NASDAQ: ACMR) reported strong financial results for Q4 and FY 2024. Revenue reached $782.1 million for the full year, up 40.2%, with Q4 revenue of $223.5 million, up 31.2% year-over-year. The company achieved a gross margin of 50.1% and operating income of $151.0 million, up 57.6%.
Total shipments in 2024 increased by 63.1% to $973 million. The company achieved process qualification of its Thermal and Plasma-Enhanced ALD furnace tools at two semiconductor customers in mainland China and commenced operations at its Lingang production facility.
For fiscal year 2025, ACM maintains its revenue guidance of $850-950 million and has updated its long-term gross margin target range to 42-48%. Despite being added to the U.S. Entity List, management believes the impact on ACM Research (Shanghai)'s production capabilities will be manageable.
ACM Research (NASDAQ: ACMR) has announced it will release its fourth quarter and fiscal year 2024 financial results before the U.S. market opens on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. The company will host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (9:00 p.m. China Time) on the same day to discuss the results.
Participants can join the conference call via telephone by completing an online pre-registration process, which will provide dial-in information and a PIN for access. Alternatively, participants can join the webcast through the company's investor relations website at ir.acmr.com/news-events. Both live and archived versions of the webcast will be available on ACM's website.
ACM Research (NASDAQ: ACMR) has updated its 2024 revenue outlook to $755-770 million, up from the previous guidance of $725-745 million announced in November 2024. The company also provided its initial 2025 revenue projection of $850-950 million.
The outlook considers various factors including international trade policies, customer spending scenarios, supply chain constraints, and field evaluation timing of first tools. CEO Dr. David Wang expressed confidence in continued growth from mainland China customers in 2025, highlighting contributions from single-wafer SPM, Tahoe, Furnace, and other new products. He noted that new U.S. component export restrictions on ACM Shanghai's tool production appear manageable, while emphasizing the company's commitment to expanding beyond the Chinese market.
ACM plans to release its Q4 and full-year 2024 financial results in late February 2025, with the current outlook being preliminary and subject to audit.
ACM Research (NASDAQ: ACMR) addressed recent U.S. export regulation updates affecting semiconductor operations in China. On December 2, 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce's BIS implemented additional controls on exports to China related to advanced IC products and manufacturing equipment. ACM Shanghai and its subsidiaries in China and Korea were added to the Entity List, while ACM and its direct subsidiaries outside mainland China were not affected.
The company believes the impact on their supply chain and ACM Shanghai's production capabilities will be minimal due to alternative sources. While sales outside China should remain unaffected, the impact on PRC customers will depend on their spending plans under the new regulations. ACM plans to release preliminary 2024 results and 2025 revenue outlook in January.
ACM Research (NASDAQ: ACMR) announced the qualification of two key semiconductor manufacturing tools: the Ultra Fn A Plasma-Enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition (PEALD) Furnace and the Ultra Fn A Thermal Atomic Layer Deposition (Thermal ALD) Furnace. Both tools have achieved process qualification at mainland China semiconductor customers, with the PEALD tool entering mass production.
Both configurations feature a six-unit system capable of batch processing up to 100 300mm wafers, including four loadport systems with oxygen concentration control. The PEALD tool specializes in ultra-thin silicon nitride film deposition, featuring double-layer tube technology for improved uniformity. The Thermal ALD tool focuses on silicon carbon nitride film deposition, offering atomic-level accuracy and enhanced film hardness through precise carbon doping.
ACM Research (NASDAQ: ACMR), a leading supplier of wafer processing solutions, announced its participation in the 13th Annual NYC Summit 2024. The event will take place on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at Mastro’s Steakhouse New York. The presentation materials used by ACM will be available on the events page of ACM’s website.
ACM Research (NASDAQ: ACMR) reported strong Q3 2024 results with record revenue of $204 million, up 21% year-over-year. The company achieved a gross margin of 51.4% and diluted EPS of $0.45. Total shipments reached $261 million, up 23% from Q3 2023. ACM has raised its fiscal year 2024 revenue guidance to $725-745 million from the previous $695-735 million range. The company's Ultra C Tahoe cleaning tool achieved a major breakthrough, now matching single-wafer cleaning tool performance while reducing chemical consumption by up to 75%. ACM also expanded its U.S. presence with a new Oregon facility purchase and opened a new R&D facility in Lingang, China.