INFICON Acquires Sigma Instruments Inc.
Acquisition Strengthens INFICON Position in Growing Opto-Electronics Market
Zurich, Switzerland / Syracuse, New York — December 11, 2007 — INFICON (SWX Swiss Exchange: IFCN), a leading manufacturer of instrumentation and process control software for the semiconductor and vacuum-coating industries and other industrial applications, today announced it has acquired Sigma Instruments Inc., a leading manufacturer of instrumentation for the measurement and control of thin film processes.
“Sigma products complement our INFICON portfolio of instruments, providing a more complete product range, and help us address the growing demand in thin film coating manufacturing for high quality products, such as mobile phones, computers, digital cameras and other consumer electronics,” said Lukas Winkler, president and chief executive officer. “This acquisition – the next step in a series of initiatives beginning with our 2006 acquisition of our raw quartz crystal supplier to provide an essential component in the manufacture of thin film monitoring and control instruments – expands our position in the thin film controller market. It also increases opportunities for INFICON in the emerging solar manufacturing arena.”
Founded in 1995, Sigma Instruments Inc. is located in Fort Collins, Colorado (USA) and has 11 employees. Its product line includes a broad range of quartz crystal microbalance monitors, controllers and accessories sold worldwide through a network of sales representatives to OEMs and distributors with a strong private label business.
Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Sigma Instruments Inc. - Key Management:
George Diehl – Engineering Manager
Mr. Diehl’s background and expertise include the design and manufacture of thin film instrumentation. He was previously with INFICON and was the co-found of Sycon Instruments.
Gary Halcomb - President
Mr. Halcomb has considerable experience in manufacturing and manufacturing processes. He was previously with Melco and Loveland Controls.
ABOUT INFICON
INFICON is a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of innovative instrumentation, critical sensor technologies, and advanced process control software for the semiconductor and vacuum-coating industries and other industrial applications. These analysis, measurement and control products are vital to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and end-users in the complex manufacturing of semiconductors, flat panel displays, magnetic and optical storage media and precision optics. INFICON also provides essential instrumentation for gas leak detection to the air conditioning/refrigeration industries and toxic chemical analysis for the emergency response and security markets. INFICON has world-class manufacturing facilities in the United States and Europe and worldwide offices in the U.S., China, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Liechtenstein, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. INFICON is a publicly listed company, registered with the Swiss Stock Exchange (SWX). For more information about INFICON and its products, please visit www.inficon.com.
This press release and oral statements or other written statements made, or to be made, by us contain forward-looking statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts. These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of our management and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect our current plans and expectations, as well as future results of operations and financial condition. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Zurich, Switzerland / Syracuse, New York — December 11, 2007 — INFICON (SWX Swiss Exchange: IFCN), a leading manufacturer of instrumentation and process control software for the semiconductor and vacuum-coating industries and other industrial applications, today announced it has acquired Sigma Instruments Inc., a leading manufacturer of instrumentation for the measurement and control of thin film processes.
“Sigma products complement our INFICON portfolio of instruments, providing a more complete product range, and help us address the growing demand in thin film coating manufacturing for high quality products, such as mobile phones, computers, digital cameras and other consumer electronics,” said Lukas Winkler, president and chief executive officer. “This acquisition – the next step in a series of initiatives beginning with our 2006 acquisition of our raw quartz crystal supplier to provide an essential component in the manufacture of thin film monitoring and control instruments – expands our position in the thin film controller market. It also increases opportunities for INFICON in the emerging solar manufacturing arena.”
Founded in 1995, Sigma Instruments Inc. is located in Fort Collins, Colorado (USA) and has 11 employees. Its product line includes a broad range of quartz crystal microbalance monitors, controllers and accessories sold worldwide through a network of sales representatives to OEMs and distributors with a strong private label business.
Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Sigma Instruments Inc. - Key Management:
George Diehl – Engineering Manager
Mr. Diehl’s background and expertise include the design and manufacture of thin film instrumentation. He was previously with INFICON and was the co-found of Sycon Instruments.
Gary Halcomb - President
Mr. Halcomb has considerable experience in manufacturing and manufacturing processes. He was previously with Melco and Loveland Controls.
ABOUT INFICON
INFICON is a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of innovative instrumentation, critical sensor technologies, and advanced process control software for the semiconductor and vacuum-coating industries and other industrial applications. These analysis, measurement and control products are vital to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and end-users in the complex manufacturing of semiconductors, flat panel displays, magnetic and optical storage media and precision optics. INFICON also provides essential instrumentation for gas leak detection to the air conditioning/refrigeration industries and toxic chemical analysis for the emergency response and security markets. INFICON has world-class manufacturing facilities in the United States and Europe and worldwide offices in the U.S., China, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Liechtenstein, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. INFICON is a publicly listed company, registered with the Swiss Stock Exchange (SWX). For more information about INFICON and its products, please visit www.inficon.com.
This press release and oral statements or other written statements made, or to be made, by us contain forward-looking statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts. These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of our management and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect our current plans and expectations, as well as future results of operations and financial condition. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.