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2010 News Release
July 22 
July 22, 2010
Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
Hitachi Metals Acquires Mass Flow Controller Business
from Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.
Tokyo, Japan, July 22, 2010 –Hitachi Metals, Ltd. has today announced its decision to acquire the mass flow controller (MFC) business of Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. Used to precisely control the flow of gases, MFCs are indispensable to semiconductor manufacturing lines. Through this acquisition, Hitachi Metals aims to become a top supplier of MFCs, bolstering this business by enhancing its product lineup, strengthening its development capabilities and otherwise working to boost its market share. Furthermore, promoting its piping components business in global growth markets, Hitachi Metals intends to contribute to industrial infrastructure development. |
1. Background
In semiconductor manufacturing lines, gas supply systems perform thin film coating, etching and other processes. Within such a gas supply system, an MFC’s function is to precisely control the flow of gases, an indispensable role. Thus MFCs are considered to be one of the most important system components. Moreover, recent years have seen demand rise for flat panel display, solar panel and LED manufacturing lines.Hitachi Metals launched its MFC business in 1987, and for the next 23 years manufactured and marketed MFCs under the SAM brand. Then, in 2005, Hitachi Metals became an MFC pioneer and secured its place in the industry with the development of a high-performance, all-in-one MFC that featured integrated pressure sensors and other peripherals.
Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. has manufactured and sold Aera Brand MFCs since its 2002 acquisition of Aera Japan Ltd. Having developed a global customer base, Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. boasts an industry leading lineup of well-recognized MFC products that support not only semiconductor manufacturing lines but also flat panel display and solar panel manufacturing lines.
2. Overview
To significantly tap into the demand of a growing MFC market and to promote its MFC business on the global stage, Hitachi Metals determined that it would acquire the MFC business of Advanced Energy Industries, Inc., an outstanding partner. This acquisition will enable Hitachi Metals to enhance its MFC product lineup, bolster its development capabilities and build a global customer base while raising its market share. Hitachi Metals is also considering consolidating MFC manufacturing at an overseas location in 2012 to achieve economies of scale in mass production.Since its inauguration in 1910, Hitachi Metals has manufactured and sold piping components and cultivated technologies—including for joints and fittings, precision processing and gas flow control—in tandem with its contributions to the development of industrial infrastructure. In 1987, Hitachi Metals developed its MFC business as an area of increasingly high functionality essential to semiconductor manufacturing devices. This acquisition will further fortify Hitachi Metals MFC business as it aims to be the top company in the field, and promote the expansion of its piping components business in a global growth market will enable contribution to industrial infrastructure.
Inquiries:
Corporate Communications, Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
