Applied Materials Takes on Metron

Applied Materials said it filled a major gap
in its services portfolio with its acquisition of Metron Technology .

The semiconductor equipment manufacturer said
it acquired all of Metron’s assets, including several fabrication sites on three
continents, 30 offices, and its subsidiaries, in the $85 million deal.

Shareholders of both companies and federal regulators still need
to approve the plan. If the deal flies, Applied Materials said the
transaction should finalize in its fourth fiscal quarter.

“This acquisition represents an important milestone in an ongoing series
of strategic moves to service a larger market and expand our support
capabilities beyond Applied Materials’ tools,” Applied President and CEO
Mike Splinter said in a statement.

This deal is just the latest in a string of acquisitions Applied has made.
The company recently purchased Brooks Automation, Praxair Electronics and
Phoenix Silicon International.

Applied Materials, which serves up products to support chip
manufacturers around the world, such as Intel and IBM, said the Metron
businesses will get absorbed into Applied’s current Global Services. Applied
said it will also use the outsourcer’s portfolio to develop and market
products for its growing fab services program, including support of
non-Applied Materials systems.

The acquisition is also a boon to Metron, which
recently posted a quarterly financial loss and completed a corporate
restructuring earlier this year.

“By combining the complementary service offerings of Applied Materials
and Metron, we believe we can enhance our value to customers and continue to
develop the products and services that enable their success,” Metron
chairman and CEO Ed Segal said.

Working in places like the United States, Europe, Israel and Asia, Metron
outsource solutions to fabs worldwide include supply of parts and materials,
equipment maintenance, kitting and cleaning of process parts, refurbishment
of legacy equipment, and distribution of specialty products.