WETZLAR, GERMANY -- Golden Gate Capital has acquired the semiconductor equipment division of
Leica Microsystems AG. Terms were not
disclosed.
David Dominik, managing director of Golden Gate, said in a statement. “SED is
well-positioned for growth as a market leader in mask metrology,
optical defect review, and direct-write E-beam lithography.”
In 2004,
the division's revenues were approximately $120 million.
Leica Microsystems SED will continue to be led by the current
management team, with manufacturing
operations in Germany and the U.K. The company will be called Leica Microsystems SED for a short transition period until
a new name has been established.
The acquisition represents the second semiconductor investment for Golden Gate
in 2005. In April, the investor group acquired
TDK
Semiconductor, now named
Teridian Semiconductor.
Leica Microsystems makes quality control and defect analysis solutions and
E-beam lithography systems for the semiconductor industry.
Leica
Microsystems AG is a subsidiary of
Danaher Corp.