14 March 2011

Plasma-Therm acquires majority stake in Advanced Vacuum

Plasma process equipment maker Plasma-Therm LLC has secured majority shareholder status of vacuum and thin-film equipment provider Advanced Vacuum AB of Lomma, Sweden. Both operations have partnered to create a strategic alliance with complementary etch and deposition systems that support the needs of R&D through production environments.

Established in 1993, Advanced Vacuum provides services and products for the vacuum and thin-film technology industries. Services include vacuum and electronics control systems, and products include open-load plasma etch and deposition systems. Advanced Vacuum is also an OEM equipment supplier for northern Europe through representation of Edwards Vacuum, Advanced Energy and Entegris.

Plasma-Therm systems support specialty markets including solid-state lighting, thin-film head, MEMS, photomask and compound semiconductor applications. The firm has sales, service and spares locations throughout North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.

Plasma-Therm says that the mutually beneficial partnership will strengthen their respective product offerings and expand an established sales and service network. With additional support and funding through Plasma-Therm, Advanced Vacuum will be able to dedicate additional resources to product development.

“Having a world-class partner who can provide financial support, technology and a solid service infrastructure will allow us to increase our product portfolio and grow our market share,” says Advanced Vacuum’s CEO Thomas Engstedt.

“The two companies, each a leading supplier for etch and deposition systems, will extend their market reach in the areas of dedicated R&D systems, failure analysis and non-clustered platforms,” reckons Plasma-Therm’s CEO Abdul Lateef. “Advanced Vacuum brings an outstanding reputation for providing high performance at low cost and will complement Plasma-Therm’s value-driven product portfolio of systems intended for production,” he comments. “With this transaction we anticipate expansion into applications that will leverage Advanced Vacuum’s capabilities for custom vacuum equipment design and fabrication,” he adds. “The large combined installed system base will benefit from their expertise in control system upgrades.”

Tags: Plasma-Therm

Visit: www.advanced-vacuum.se

Visit: www.plasmatherm.com

Join Semiconductor Today's LinkedIn networking and discussion group