Amtech Systems Inc., a Tempe, Ariz.-based supplier of production and automation systems and related supplies for manufacturing solar cells, semiconductors and wafers, has acquired R2D Ingenierie (R2D), a solar cell and semiconductor automation equipment manufacturing company located in Montpellier, France.
‘R2D's unique manufacturing automation technology and expertise secures our current solar automation product offerings, and we plan to utilize these capabilities to expand the automation solutions we can provide to our current and future solar customers,’ says J.S. Whang, president and CEO of Amtech. ‘This acquisition advances our strategic objective to increase our share of the rapidly growing solar market and is part of our ongoing effort to truly become a multi-product provider to solar cell manufacturers. The addition of R2D's business and proven technology expands our market opportunity by enabling Amtech to offer an integrated system under our Tempress brand to the solar industry.’
Under the terms of the agreement, Amtech has acquired all the outstanding shares of R2D for a total purchase price of approximately $6.1 million and has made a working capital infusion of $1 million largely for solar business build-up. According to Amtech, the purchase price includes significant contingent payments tied to R2D's successful product improvements, production and technology transfer. In addition, R2D's key personnel have signed three-year employment agreements.