Metron Technology to Acquire ChemTrace to Enhance Fab-wide Services
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 29, 2005--Metron Technology, Inc., a leading supplier of fab-wide services to the global semiconductor industry, announced today that it has agreed to purchase all of the outstanding shares of ChemTrace Corporation and ChemTrace Precision Cleaning, Inc. (collectively, ChemTrace), both privately-held companies, for an undisclosed cash amount. The acquisition will enhance Metron's capabilities to provide customers worldwide with high quality parts cleaning and materials testing solutions to support their integrated circuit manufacturing operations.
ChemTrace, a recognized leader in the cleaning of process-critical components, has developed a portfolio of optimized, technology-based methods to clean a wide range of ceramic, quartz, silicon and metal parts. ChemTrace's analytical testing services complement its cleaning services, providing high purity testing of materials for monitoring, contamination control and materials qualification.
"Repeatable and predictable cleaning, coating and refurbishment of components for process equipment is essential for minimizing defects during semiconductor manufacturing, enabling tighter process control and lowering overall cost of ownership," said Werner Finsterbusch, general manager of Metron Technology. "The acquisition of ChemTrace will enable Metron to serve customers in new markets and provide them with a consistent source of quality parts cleaning solutions. It will also expand our capability to create advanced cleaning processes as new components, materials and films are being developed in the industry. We believe this is an excellent opportunity for Metron and an important element of our fab-wide services solutions."
ChemTrace will be operated as part of Metron Technology, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Applied Materials, Inc., extending Metron's global reach with additional service operations in Fremont, CA; Portland, OR; Austin, TX; and Hsinchu, Taiwan.
This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to expected benefits from the acquisition of ChemTrace's semiconductor parts cleaning and analytical testing business, product capabilities and growth opportunities. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied, including but not limited to: the successful integration and performance of the acquired business; sustainability of demand in the semiconductor and semiconductor equipment industries, which is subject to many factors, including global economic conditions, business spending, consumer confidence, demand for electronic products and integrated circuits, and geopolitical uncertainties; ChemTrace's ability to develop, deliver and support a broad range of equipment and service products and to expand its markets and develop new markets; and other risks described in Applied Materials' Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed with the SEC. All forward-looking statements are based on management's estimates, projections and assumptions as of the date hereof and Applied Materials assumes no obligation to update any such statement.
Metron Technology, Inc. is an independent supplier of fab-wide support services to the semiconductor and related industries, providing custom integrated solutions for optimizing operations and improving manufacturing efficiency. Metron is headquartered in San Jose, California, and is on the web at www.metrontech.com.
Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAT), headquartered in Santa Clara, California, is the largest supplier of equipment and services to the global semiconductor industry. Applied Materials' website is www.appliedmaterials.com.
CONTACT: Applied Materials, Inc.
Betty Newboe, 408-563-0647 (Technical Media)
Dave Miller, 408-563-9582 (Business Media)
Paul Bowman, 408-563-1698 (Financial Community)
SOURCE: Applied Materials, Inc.