Splinter was talking Tuesday (July 8) at a ground-breaking ceremony for Applied's latest manufacturing facility in Singapore.

"I think we have given a very full and fair offer," Splinter said, declining to comment on whether Applied would make a bid for all of ASMI or raise the offer.

Late last month, ASMI rejected the unsolicited offer from Applied Materials and private-equity firm Francisco Partners to acquire all of ASMI's front-end businesses for up to $800 million.

At first, Applied wanted to buy only the atomic layer deposition and plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition activities of ASMI, valuing the operations at $400 million-$500.

Then, Applied and the private-equity firm made a bid for the entire front-end tool business.

Splinter said Applied will invest between $60 million to $70 million for the Singapore facility which would employ 200 to 300 people when completed by late 2009.

The 32,000 sq m facility at Changi North Industrial Park, which will also handle the company's business activities in Asia, will account for 30 percent to 40 percent of overall revenue by 2010 after the full ramp-up, Splinter said.

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