INDUSTRY NEWS

EXPANSIONS AND ACQUISITIONS

Steag buys CuTek

Steag Electronic Systems says it hopes to enhance the copper interconnect capabilities of its product portfolio with its recent purchase of CuTek Research. Based in San Jose, CuTek has developed a second-generation copper deposition tool. The system's gap-filling capability and expanding customer base piqued Steag's interest. CuTek was founded in 1997. The company's board of directors has approved the merger. Headquartered in Essen, Germany, Steag Electronic Systems says it has an installed base of more than 1500 rapid thermal process tools around the world. The company also manufactures automated wet processing tools, CVD systems, and photomask processing systems. Steag has an office and manufacturing facility in San Jose.

Materials unit expands center

Honeywell Electronic Materials has announced plans to enlarge its research center in Sunnyvale, CA. The company expects to complete the $15-million expansion of the Semiconductor Technology and Research (STAR) center by the third quarter of 2000. As part of the expansion, Honeywell will install an Endura PVD system from Applied Materials, an SEM with FIB/EDAX from JEOL, a Lam Research 9600 metal etch system, and other process systems at the center. Dielectric tools and planarization equipment have already been installed. The company has hired Mike Holmes as equipment maintenance manager at the STAR center. Holmes worked in a similar position at National Semiconductor's R&D center in Santa Clara, CA, before joining Honeywell.

Semifab begins fab expansion

Semifab of Hollister, CA, has begun a major expansion of its sheet metal plant in response to a series of production contracts with equipment providers. Semifab has signed an exclusive agreement with Lucid Treatment Systems to manufacture Lucid's Wisard system. The tool reclaims water used in chemical-mechanical polishing. The 10,000-sq-ft expansion will help Semifab meet demand for sheet metal and frame fabrication used in the company's line of environmental chambers, minienvironments, and related products. Semifab recently announced it has manufactured its 900th environmental enclosure for use with photolithography tools and other process equipment.

BOC wants cleaning firm

BOC Edwards has signed an agreement to buy Kachina Semiconductor Services, a Phoenix-based tool cleaning provider. BOC says Kachina's cleaning technology offers low particle and mobile ion counts as well as "negligible" levels of residual outgas species. A division of the BOC Group, BOC Edwards believes the combination of its own carbon dioxide parts cleaning business and Kachina's component cleaning services will enable it to rapidly expand its services globally. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Cintas buys bunnysuit biz

Cincinnati-based Cintas has purchased the cleanroom garment business of Mission Industries for an undisclosed sum. The takeover includes Mission Industries's operations in Texas, expanding Cintas's nationwide business reach and product offerings. The company has more than 1000 customers in New York, South Carolina, and California. Cintas says its catalog contains more than 10,000 garments and related cleanroom supplies.

August moves headquarters

August Technology, a manufacturer of automated inspection and metrology gear, has moved its headquarters to a site one mile from its former spot in Edina, MN. The new 43,000-sq-ft corporate seat in Bloomington, MN, has approximately three times the space of the Edina site. August has continued expanding in response to product demand, having doubled the size of its headquarters in 1998 as revenues increased by more than 100%, according to the vendor.

Contractor takes Bay Bridge

A leading Silicon Valley piping and HVAC contractor has opened up shop in Oakland, CA. Air Systems of San Jose has expanded its services to encompass San Francisco and the East Bay region from Livermore to Vacaville, CA.

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