RADFELD, Austria, Nov. 17 - A pair of leading semiconductor gear makers, BE Semiconductor Industries and Datacon Technology, will merge in January, the firms jointly announced today.

Besi will assume 100% of Datacon's shares. Datacon shareholders will receive 90% cash and shares in Besi. The purchase price was 3 million euros and includes net financial liabilities.

Negotiations are in the final stages, the companies said, and the merger is scheduled to close in January, pending antitrust and other reviews. Besi is listed on Nasdaq and Euronext. After the close, Datacon will become an wholly owned subsidiary of Besi.

Datacon makes microchip assembly platforms (die bonders), while Besia manufactures semiconductor assembly equipment.