Applied Energy bucks trend with Matheson deal
High-purity gas delivery system vendor Applied Energy Systems (AES) is looking to expand its operations, despite the economic downturn hitting the wider semiconductor industry.
Based in Malvern, PA, AES says that the trend towards larger-scale manufacturing in photovoltaics and compound semiconductor applications could have a major impact on its business this year.
Last month, AES acquired the rights to Matheson Tri-Gas' "SEMI-GAS" product line, which includes gas cabinets, valve manifold boxes and panels. The equipment is used to deliver ultra-high-purity gases for semiconductor fabrication.
Under the deal, about which neither party has disclosed financial terms, AES will increase its staff by 15, with employees set to transfer from Matheson over the next few months.
AES told compoundsemiconductor.net that specialized manufacturing equipment will be moved across from Matheson s site in Montgomeryville, PA, within the next few weeks.
"The acquisition allows us to realize economies of scale that we didn t [previously] have, to support this growing technical group," said AES.
"It is difficult to assess the market in 2009. [But] if capital can become more available, a renewed growth in the photovoltaics and compound semiconductor markets should result in a doubling of our business in this segment."
