TePla Acquires IST, MetroLine Industries
Source: Compound Semiconductor Staff.
TePla AG (Kirchheim, Munich) has announced two acquisitions designed to enhance its market position as a manufacturer of plasma systems. TePla recently acquired 100% of the shares of the IST Instant Surface Technology S.A of Yverdon, Switzerland. IST specializes in the development of plasma systems that make partial plasma-treatment of surfaces possible.
"We made the decision for IST because their know-how completes our technologies in the Surface Technology division perfectly," said Friedrich Meyer, TePla s chairman and CEO. "With our planned US expansion, we want to market these technologies worldwide."
The US expansion takes the form of the purchase of MetroLine Industries Inc., a company based in Corona, California that manufactures plasma surface processing systems and semiconductor process tools, including photoresist removal and nitride etching equipment. This move, says Tepla, is aimed at giving the company access to the American market and enhancing its market position as a worldwide plasma system producer.
Last year, TePla achieved around 56% (around $4.8 million) of its sales in Europe and another 39% (around $3.25 million) in Asia, while MetroLine posted approximately 88% of its sales in the US market alone. Tepla notes that MetroLine s strong position in the domestic market in the field of surface technology was reflected in sales of around $6 million last year in 1999. The company says the merger with MetroLine will enable it to almost double its revenues.
"For MetroLine this means access to the markets in Europe and Asia, as well as a boost in its Semiconductor division," says Robert J. Dykhouse, who as owner of MetroLine, will assume a seat on the executive board of TePla. According to TePla, settlement of the DM 20 million ($9.2 million) purchase price will be made through a stock trade and in cash.
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