INDUSTRY NEWS

Expansions and Acquisitions

AMD buys National unit

AMD hopes to extend x86 architecture to embedded appliances and high-end servers with the recent purchase of a National Semiconductor unit. The Silicon Valley–based chipmaker has acquired National's Information Appliance business for an undisclosed sum. AMD's main interest in the deal is the business's Geode microprocessors, which the manufacturer plans to offer in set-top boxes, smart displays, and other products.

Hector Ruiz, AMD's president and CEO, says the acquisition makes the company the only one with the assets and resources able "to deliver a common, industry-standard architecture from embedded applications to mobile, desktop, and servers." National plans to focus on its core analog business, says Brian Halla, the chip manufacturer's chairman, president, and CEO. Approximately 132 employees from Information Appliance are expected to join AMD's PCS business.

Air Products buys chem unit

Air Products of Lehigh Valley, PA, has purchased the electronic chemicals business of Ashland Specialty Chemical for approximately $300 million. The unit will become part of the electronics division of Air Products. The $200 million Ashland division markets products such as ACT photoresist strippers, high-purity process chemicals, CMP slurries, post-CMP cleaners, and on-site chemical management services.

Air Products is a leading producer of ultra-high-purity gases and chemicals. The vendor also offers slurries and bulk gases. Its TRiMEGA Electronics business provides turnkey project services. The company expects the acquisition to help increase its knowledge of electronics chemicals and broaden its business reach in Asia, says Gerald Ermentrout, vice president and general manager of Air Products' electronics division.

Managers to buy WWK

A team comprising senior managers and the company's cofounders has agreed to buy out Wright Williams & Kelly (WWK). Based in Pleasanton, CA, the privately held firm offers cost-management software for semiconductor manufacturing and other high-tech industries. Clients include TI, Motorola, STMicroelectronics, and Applied Materials. Founded in 1991, WWK was purchased by CH2M Hill Industrial Design & Construction in 1995.

The new management says the staff will remain and the transition will be smooth, with no interruptions in service expected. David Jimenez, a cofounder, says WWK plans to expand its services in Asia, North America, and Europe.

New metrology firm forms

A management team from Schlumberger Technologies has launched a metrology equipment business by buying the assets of one of Schlumberger's divisions. Called Soluris, the new company has been formed from the Verification Systems unit. The unit recently transferred the Yosemite CD-SEM, IVS 135 CD and overlay systems, and all other assets to Soluris, which is based in Concord, MA. The divestiture is part of Schlumberger's corporate strategy to focus on core activities in the oil-field and information services industries. Alain Bojarski, the president and CEO of Soluris, says the spin-off plans to work with customers such as Arch Chemicals and LSI Logic in order to enhance the capabilities of the Yosemite ultra-low-voltage CD-SEM platform.

DuPont forms materials unit

DuPont Integrated Circuit Fabrication Materials was launched in August as a subsidiary of DuPont Electronic Technologies. The launch is an attempt by DuPont to tap into the "burgeoning advanced-materials segment of IC fabrication," says David Miller, vice president and general manager for DuPont's $1 billion electronic technologies business. Jerry Coder has been appointed president of the materials business. Coder is the former president of DuPont EKC Technology, one of nine businesses under the DuPont Electronic Technologies umbrella. He will be based at the EKC division's headquarters in Danville, CA.

Oxford gets Thermo VG

Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology, a UK-based manufacturer of plasma and ion-beam equipment for photonics, MEMS, and semiconductor applications, is acquiring the assets of Thermo VG Semicon, a supplier of molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) equipment. VG Semicon's V100 MBE system is used for the mass production of advanced gallium arsenide–based electronic devices, and its EpiStar CV200 tool is used in silicon germanium processes.

MBE technology is a strategic fit for Oxford's existing business, according to Jim Hutchins, the company's managing director. By acquiring VG Semicon, the company hopes to achieve "significant synergies in manufacturing, product development, and sales and support operations, particularly since we already serve many of the same customers," says Hutchins.

Edlon inks plastics pact

Edlon, a manufacturer of fluoropolymer-lined pipes and related products, has signed an agreement with Performance Plastics Products (3P) to produce the company's piping. The agreement covers the United States, Canada, and Mexico. As part of the agreement, 3P will stop manufacturing and selling lined piping. Edlon, which is based in Avondale, PA, will sell the 3P products under the Edlon-3P brand name.