FormFactor Names Two Executives to Key Leadership Positions
December 19, 2006
December 19, 2006
LIVERMORE, Calif. – December 19, 2006 – FormFactor, Inc. (Nasdaq: FORM) today announced the appointment of Yoshikazu Hatsukano to the positions of corporate senior vice president of strategic initiatives of FormFactor, Inc., and chairman of FormFactor, K.K.—the wholly-owned subsidiary of FormFactor, Inc. in Japan. Replacing Hatsukano as representative director and president of FormFactor, K.K. is Makoto Honda, who will also maintain his current role as corporate vice president of FormFactor, Inc. Both Hatsukano and Honda will assume their new roles within the company on January 1, 2007.
Igor Khandros, CEO of FormFactor, stated, “Hatsukano-san brings to the worldwide role of senior VP of strategic initiatives a rare ability to predict evolutionary trends in our industry. He also brings a proven ability to grow customer relationships and new businesses. Having helped to expand our operations in Japan as well as throughout Asia to our current leadership position, Hatsukano-san will now focus on driving the achievement of strategic goals that enhance our long-term growth. As Honda-san assumes the role of president, his leadership skills will enhance our presence in Japan, augmenting the already strong team we’ve built at FormFactor, K.K. We look forward to the contributions of Hatsukano-san and Honda-san in their new roles as they work to position the company to take advantage of future growth opportunities and continue FormFactor’s legacy of providing innovative wafer test solutions for our global customers.”
Hatsukano has served as corporate senior vice president of Asia-Pacific operations since April 2001, and president of FormFactor, K.K. since December 1998. In these roles, he has helped to grow FormFactor’s business in Asia from its infancy. He was also instrumental in building up FormFactor, K.K.’s infrastructure—including its product design and development capabilities, as well as applications expertise—to serve as the Asia-Pacific technical center for FormFactor, Inc. Prior to joining FormFactor, K.K., he was employed for 37 years by various companies affiliated with Hitachi, Ltd., where he held several management positions, including president of Hitachi Micro Systems, Inc., and vice general manager of Hitachi Semiconductor Design and Development Center. Hatsukano holds a bachelor’s degree in electronics from Kyoto University in Kyoto, Japan.
Honda joined FormFactor in May 2006 as a corporate vice president and country manager for FormFactor, K.K. In this role, he has managed FormFactor’s Japan sales group, field service and support group, and service center. Prior to this, Honda held various management positions at Agilent Technologies (and Hewlett Packard), including vice president and general manager
for the Japan Field Operation of the Electronic Products and Solutions Group. Honda earned
his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Yokohama National University in Yokohama, Japan.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical in nature are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding the company’s product development and future growth. These forward-looking statements are based on current information and expectations that are inherently subject to change and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results might differ materially from those in any forward-looking statement due to various factors, including, but not limited to: the company’s ability to develop and deliver innovative technologies and solutions, to drive its product development pipeline and support multiple growth drivers in its customers’ businesses, and to engage with its customers to help them lower their overall cost of test. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statement is contained in the company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 and the company’s subsequent 10-Q and 8-K filings, which the company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Copies of SEC filings made by the company are available at http://investors.formfactor.com/edgar.cfm. The company assumes no obligation to update the information in this press release, to revise any forward-looking statements or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements.