(Asslar, October 22, 2007) - PVA TePla AG, Asslar, today took over
the entire KSI Group, Herborn. Together with its subsidiary SAMTEC
GmbH, Aalen, the company develops, produces and distributes
ultrasound microscopes worldwide to the international end customer
market in research and industry. The scanning acoustic microscopes of
modular construction are employed in the nondestructive inspection of
materials, for example of composite semiconductors and silicon ingots
for the semiconductor and photovoltaic industry.
KSI GmbH, which originates from the Leica industrial group, develops
ultrasound-based analysis systems of up to 2 GHz, with which
materials can be inspected in a nondestructive way for defectiveness.
In its product range, the company already has fully automatic modules
for complete in-line handling for production in the front-end and
back-end areas of the semiconductor industry. In addition, analysis
equipment has been developed especially for the wafer industry, which
is already being successfully marketed. In comparison with equipment
currently available, the substantial advantage and innovative element
of this analysis system is that whole silicon ingots can be inspected
for defects. Increasing miniaturization, leading to ever smaller
wafer defects, coupled with the productivity increase required in the
semiconductor industry, will drive the worldwide demand for this type
of innovative measuring system.
Up until now, it was possible only to subject sawn wafers to
appropriate quality control due to a lack of alternatives. This new
kind of ultrasound high-frequency inspection process means it is now
possible to achieve clear production advances in the wafer-production
value chain. These systems can be employed for the quality control of
both mono-crystalline and polycrystalline ingots.
This technology is also extremely interesting for numerous other
fields of application in other industries. Wherever complex
structures and pieces of various materials and their composites must
be inspected for their quality, appropriate inspections can now be
carried out without having to destroy the objects in the inspection
process.
In particular, the merger of both companies generates synergy effects
in the technology development between PVA TePla, as a manufacturer of
crystal growing systems for the semiconductor and photovoltaic
industries, and the KSI Group. The Vacuum Systems and Plasma Systems
divisions are also benefiting. "These unique measuring devices
represent outstanding products for our customers in all business
areas. Customers from the hard metal industry, chip and MEMS
production can now inspect their products in a three-dimensional and
nondestructive manner and at microscopic definition. Experts also
predict a great future for this device in medical technology,"
explained the CEO of the PVA TePla AG, Peter Abel.
The integration of the KSI Group into PVA TePla AG also ensures the
company further solid growth and the opportunity to more quickly
implement the essential structures for the realization of that
growth. A contribution to sales of EUR 5 million to EUR 6 million and
a positive earnings contribution are expected for 2008. The company
anticipates growth in two-digit percent figures for the following
years. The companies have agreed confidentiality on the purchase
price.
More information is available from:
Dr. Gert Fisahn
Investor Relations
Phone: +49(0)6441/5692-342
gert.fisahn@pvatepla.
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PVA TePla AG
Emmeliusstr. 33 Asslar Germany
WKN: 746100; ISIN:
DE0007461006; Index: CDAX, GEX, Prime All Share;
Listed: Geregelter Markt in Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse, Prime
Standard in Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse,
Freiverkehr in Börse Stuttgart, Freiverkehr in Niedersächsische Börse
zu Hannover,
Freiverkehr in Börse Berlin, Freiverkehr in Hanseatische
Wertpapierbörse zu Hamburg,
Freiverkehr in Börse Düsseldorf;