INDUSTRY NEWS

EXPANSIONS AND ACQUISITIONS

PRI wants to keep Promis

PRI Automation of Billerica, MA, is seeking to enhance its line of fab automation technology with the purchase of Promis Systems, a supplier of manufacturing execution systems. The preliminary agreement calls for PRI to acquire Toronto-based Promis in a stock swap valued at approximately $4.29 per share of common stock. The exchange ratio on the date of the November 24 announcement was 0.1691 share of PRI stock for each Promis share. The price per share could change if PRI's average stock price during a period prior to closing strays outside of a specified range. The acquisition is set for completion during the first quarter of 1999.

The merger would enable PRI to provide customers with an entire wafer-management system that addresses the industry's need for overall factory integration. PRI's product line would encompass Promis's Encore! suite of plug-and-play Windows NT products as well as PRI's automated material-handling systems, advanced planning and scheduling systems, and automation products. Promis's software systems are installed in more than 270 plants in 25 countries, according to the supplier. If the deal is approved, Ian McKinnon will become vice president and general manager of PRI's software division, which will be based in Toronto.

Olin launches Arch Chemicals

Olin has dubbed its new spin-off Arch Chemicals. The specialty chemicals unit will officially open its doors during the first quarter of 1999. Its headquarters will be in Norwalk, CT. The company will comprise three divisions: microelectronic chemicals, water chemicals, and performance chemicals. Jim LaCasse and Bruce Lipisko will be vice presidents and general managers of the microelectronic chemicals unit. The chairman of the board and CEO will be Michael Campbell. Leon Anziano will serve as president and COO, and Louis Massimo will be vice president and CFO. Olin says annual sales of the division total approximately $1 billion.

FEI, Micrion agree to merge

Micrion, a manufacturer of focused ion beam (FIB) workstations, has agreed to merge with a subsidiary of FEI. Based in Hillsboro, OR, FEI makes charged particle beam systems, SEMs, and components for imaging, analysis, and fabrication. Micrion shareholders will receive one share of FEI common stock and $6 cash in exchange for each share of Micrion common stock. FEI will stay in Hillsboro and operate the Micrion plant in Peabody, MA.

Ashland allies with toolmaker

Ashland Chemical has formed a marketing alliance with Semco, a supplier of chemical equipment systems. The alliance gives clients of Ashland's electronic chemicals division access to Semco's equipment expertise. Semco's product line includes systems for slurry mixing, acid blending, copper delivery, and chemical-waste collection. The partnership provides clients with on-site personnel, chemical supplies, and chemical-handling equipment, allowing customers to reduce their operating costs, Ashland says.

U.S. Filter buys contractor

U.S. Filter has purchased mechanical contractor JB Rodgers for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition further solidifies the market position of U.S. Filter's industrial products and services group as a provider of process systems for the semiconductor and other high-tech industries, the company says. Based in Phoenix, JB Rodgers reported revenues of $85 million for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1998. The company includes JB Rodgers Mechanical Contractors and JB Rodgers Performance Contracting.

Semifab gets vertical

Semifab, a supplier of environmental chambers and minienvironments, opened an automated sheet-metal fabrication center at its headquarters in Hollister, CA. The 10,000-sq-ft center expands Semifab's production capacity by 25% and completes the supplier's move to a vertically operated business. Semifab's operations already encompass electrical/mechanical assembly, plastics fabrication, and modular manufacturing capabilities. The decision to establish a separate sheet-metal facility was prompted by recent orders for customized equipment. The company says it can now provide completely integrated contract manufacturing services to chip equipment OEMs. A recent market study shows an upswing in OEM demand for the type of outsourcing that Semifab now provides, the vendor says. The study shows the $90-billion electronic manufacturing services industry will grow at a 25% compound annual rate through 2000.

Keithley sells line to KLA

Keithley Instruments of Cleveland has sold its Quantox oxide-monitoring product line to KLA-Tencor. San Jose—based KLA-Tencor says the Quantox tools give the company a strong product line for monitoring materials such as iron and copper. The company also says a synergy exists between the Keithley systems' ability to determine the electrical characteristics of film and the optical measurement capabilities of KLA-Tencor's offerings. The acquisition is particularly timely given the industry's move to 0.13-µm device technology and the need to monitor gate oxides, according to KLA-Tencor.

Contec enlarges plant

A major supplier of wipes, swabs, and related contamination control products has expanded its warehouse and manufacturing plant. Contec of Spartanburg, SC, added 37,500 sq ft to its headquarters site, which opened last month. A new presaturating facility improves Contec's capacity for making customized products, the company says.

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