INDUSTRY NEWS

Expansions and Acquisitions

ICD buys Fluidix

ICD/Heateflex has purchased Fluidix, a manufacturer of ultrapure DI water heaters, for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition makes ICD the global leader in DI water–heating products, according to the company. Based in Arcadia, CA, ICD says its worldwide equipment base heats more than 168 million gallons of DI water annually. The company's product family includes stainless-steel, PFA, and PFA-quartz heaters. ICD says it has kept key Fluidix personnel and will continue to offer customer support for installed Fluidix systems.

Soitec buys wafer vendor

The world's largest supplier of silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers has purchased the assets of Picogiga, a French manufacturer of epitaxial wafers. Soitec says Picogiga will become a division of its operations, which are based in Bernin, France. Picogiga uses molecular-beam epitaxy to grow layers on GaAs wafers, InP wafers, and other compound semiconductor substrates. Thirty engineers and technicians from Picogiga will join Soitec, according to the company. Known for its Smart Cut technology, Soitec says it holds more than 80% of the world market for SOI wafers.

Brooks signs automation pact

Targeting its 300-mm customers, Brooks Automation has expanded its software capabilities with the recent signing of an OEM agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, Tibco Software will supply its messaging technology to the Massachusetts-based semiconductor automation specialist. Brooks will use the software in its MES systems for controlling chipmaking processes such as material tracking, process tool automation, automated material handling, and advanced process control. Tibco's platform integrates all the necessary components, Brooks says.

In related news, Brooks says Motorola's semiconductor products sector has been using ReticleTrax reticle management software in production settings. The software is part of Motorola's computer-integrated manufacturing architecture. The program is linked with Brooks' reticle stockers, inspection systems, and reticle pod transfer tools.

Air Products launches unit

Air Products and Chemicals has established a business unit to deliver contamination-free materials to customers around the world. Launched by the vendor's electronics division, Electronics Equipment Solutions comprises eight product lines covering delivery of gases and chemicals, as well as installation of delivery, software, and analytical systems. The division has three hubs. One is located in Allentown, PA, the site of Air Products headquarters. The other hubs are in Ansan, South Korea, and Carlsbad, CA. Customers of the new business also will have access to services provided by TRiMEGA, a joint venture between Air Products and Kinetics Group. The venture offers turnkey project services.