Japs are throwing in the towel?
ACLS is the only single wafer implant alternative as far as I know and the trend is to replace batch - again this bad news should bode well for Varian with many eval tools out there including Japan.
(and NVLS and LRCX both chasing ACLS in resist stripping - over and over the pundits predicted consolidation in equipment sector but the the few aquisitons were very, very selective)
UPDATE 1-Axcelis says Sumitomo will not make offer, shares sink
Mon Sep 15, 2008 10:25am EDT
Sept 15 (Reuters) - Axcelis Technologies Inc (ACLS.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said Japan's Sumitomo Heavy Industries (6302.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) will not make an acquisition offer at this time, sending the semiconductor equipment maker's shares to their lowest levels ever.
Axcelis was in talks with Sumitomo and private equity firm TPG Capital LP since June after they made a $616 million unsolicited takeover bid for Axcelis. In a regulatory filing, Axcelis said Sumitomo had, on Sept. 4, informed that it was placing discussions regarding the acquisition "on hold."
Axcelis also said its board is currently evaluating several refinancing plans.
Axcelis, which makes ion implantation equipment used to manufacture semiconductors, was spun off from Eaton Corp (ETN.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) in 2000. Sumitomo Heavy, which makes heavy machinery, and Axcelis have a joint venture in Japan called SEN.
Shares of Axcelis lost more than half of their value and were trading down $2.34 at their life-low of $1.90. (Reporting by Purwa Naveen Raman in Bangalore; Editing by Amitha Rajan) |
