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Reid-Ashman History

Reid-Ashman MFG., Inc. started in 1979 as "R and A Engineering" with Steve Reid and Jack Ashman doing after hour consulting and design work on semiconductor test equipment.

By January 1980 they had developed a number of products and their reputation for innovative ideas was spreading. Demand for these products was such that they left their full time employment and incorporated as Reid-Ashman.

After obtaining office space from a friend, Jack began selling their products and marketing their ideas, while Steve continued to design new products and augment their revenue with consulting contracts.

It was becoming apparent at this time in the semiconductor industry that Integrated Circuits (I.C.'s) were doing more functions at a faster rate of speed and the way of testing these I.C.'s would have to change. The interface cable between the tester and the handler was a key contributor to the slowness that had to be eliminated from the test set up. Reid-Ashman became aware of the situation through their consulting work with a number of test floor managers.

They were successful in convincing Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) to issue a purchase order for a test head holder that would allow the connector on the tester interface board to plug directly into the mating connector on the handler thus eliminating the interface cable. These early models of the test head holder were very successful. The number of I.C.'s that passed test increased 30% and the operators of the test equipment could change a set up more efficiently and faster.

In the early days the test heads that went into Reid-Ashman holders were about 50 pounds. Through the years the test heads have increased in size and weight. The heaviest known head in 1997 is 1500 pounds. The test head holders became marketed as test head manipulators

In 1995 Reid-Ashman relocated to St George, UT., as a result they increased their production and warehouse space by 100% which contributed to improved quality and delivery of their product.

By working closely with tester manufacturers and end users, Reid-Ashman MFG., Inc. has established itself as the leader in test head manipulator and docking systems.