12/12/2013 Brief History Cominco sold their Electronic Materials - PDF document

12/12/2013 Brief History • Cominco sold their Electronic Materials division to Firebird Technologies Johnson Matthey (JM) in early 1990 • JM closed the facility in Trail in early 1991 and moved its Trail assets to Spokane, WA and Victoria, BC • Of the 120 employees, JM retained five to work in “HOW WE GOT THERE” Spokane and three in Victoria • Oppourtunity to enter a few small niche markets became available Event Presentation – May/13 2 Brief History Process Overview • Three former Cominco Electronic Materials • Melt HP Indium and Antimony together and then zone employees started Firebird in late 1991 refine to form ‘poly’ InSb (7N5) • First Indium Antimonide (InSb) wafer produced by late 1992 • Another three former Cominco Electronic Materials employees joined the team in early 1993 • Remained a small ‘Ma and Pa’ business until 1995 • Major management change in 2005, in order to grow company for potential sale or IPO • Firebird sold to publically traded company in late 2009 3 4 Event Presentation – May/13 Event Presentation – May/13 1

12/12/2013 Process Overview Process Overview • Grow ‘single’ crystal InSb using the Czochrakski • A grown ‘single’ crystal InSb crystal (325mm long x crystal growth method 125mm diameter) Event Presentation – May/13 5 Event Presentation – May/13 6 Process Overview InSb Product Use • Ultra flat, ‘EPI’ ready surface finish to clients • Focal Plane Arrays (FPA’s) for commercial and military Infrared (IR) camera systems 7 8 Event Presentation – May/13 Event Presentation – May/13 2

12/12/2013 InSb Product Use How We Got There • Camera’s output of visual image from IR signal 1993 - 1995 • Asked ourselves, “How can we develop our product to be the World’s best?” • Continually re-invest profits (>50%) into R&D, so we could bring a new product to market before the customer even knew they needed it • A prime example of this was to increase wafer diameters, from 2” to 3”, BEFORE our customers requested it • We continued this business strategy for the life of the company Event Presentation – May/13 9 Event Presentation – May/13 10 How We Got There How We Got There 1995 - 2003 2003 - 2005 • Continued R&D to improve wafer finish, flatness, and • Our first major business mistake!!! We used up all our cleanliness oxygen trying to run up the mountain, instead of a slow, steady climb • Continued to develop and grow larger crystals and sold the World’s first 4” InSb wafer by 2000 • This led to a total re-structuring of the management team and a change in business strategy • Hired eight more people that FIT our culture – Focus back on the core business (InSb) and regain the • Made sure we had face-to-face meetings with our status of World’s Best customers, at least, twice/year – Vertically integrate into starting materials to lower costs • Kept our ‘oxygen canisters full’ ($$$), so we could – Evaluate staffing levels and procedures continue to climb the mountain 11 12 Event Presentation – May/13 Event Presentation – May/13 3

12/12/2013 How We Got There 2005 - 2009 Firebird Technologies • Stayed focused on our core business and became the World leader in InSb, once again Expanding the World’s Vision through Technology™ • The customer was always right! • Increased bottom line by rewarded staff with work/life balance (broadbanding, flex hours, etc.) • Created ‘Heros in every role’ • Created exit strategy for company shareholders, THANKS FOR WATCHING. found buyer, and sold company in Dec/09 Event Presentation – May/13 13 4