News in brief: Veeco, Jobin Yvon and Intense
Veeco Instruments reported sales of $72.8 million and a net loss of $2.1 million, or 7 cents a share, for the September quarter. Metrology equipment sales were $42.3 million, up 5% sequentially, while process equipment sales were $30.5 million, down 17% sequentially.
Veeco currently estimates that fourth quarter 2002 sales will be in the $62 million to $66 million range, and that it will incur a pro-forma loss between 10 and 15 cents per share.
In order to reduce its overall spending, Veeco is to cut its workforce by around 20%.
Jobin Yvon acquires Philips ellipsometry business unit
Royal Philips Electronics of The Netherlands and Jobin Yvon of France have finalized an agreement for the transfer of the ellipsometry business line of the former Philips Analytical business unit to Jobin Yvon.
The transaction includes metrology tools such as the table-top PZ laser ellipsometer, which Philips had previously acquired from Plasmos (Munich, Germany), and the PQ Ruby fully-automated platform for 200 mm wafers, to determine the thickness of thin films.
In July, Philips announced that it would discontinue its ellipsometry business, and then subsequently announced it was talking to potential buyers. Philips says that it is pleased that a continuation of its activity has been achieved and that service and support commitments to the installed base will be met.
Jobin Yvon is a member company of the Horiba Group of Kyoto Japan, one of the largest analytical instrument manufacturers in the world.
Intense Photonics receives additional backing
Intense Photonics of High Blantyre, Scotland, has received additional backing of £750,000 ($1.18 million) in its Series B funding round from Italian venture capital company Alice Ventures, which added to the £10.5 million ($16 million) awarded in August by several backers led by Cazenove Private Equity.
Intense Photonics, which is developing multi-functional single chip devices using quantum well intermixing technology, will use the funds to further accelerate the development of its product range and strengthen its marketing effort. To date, the company has successfully secured funding totaling £21.25 million ($33.6 million).
