Carl Zeiss acquires Pixer Technology, further expanding its global leadership position as a provider of semiconductor equipment

Carl Zeiss SMT is acquiring Pixer Technology Ltd., Karmiel, Israel, a company which develops unique yield enhancement systems for photomasks in semiconductor production. The two companies signed an appropriate agreement yesterday. With the acquisition, Carl Zeiss will strengthen its global leadership position as a provider of semiconductor equipment in the form of lithography and laser optics, particle beam systems and systems for quality assurance and process optimization. Pixer Technology will be integrated into the Semiconductor Metrology Systems Division (SMS). The transaction is scheduled to be finalized in the third quarter of 2008.

“The acquisition of Pixer Technology is a further step towards strengthening our innovation leadership in the long term and therefore also safeguarding our growth. In each of the past five years we have achieved organic growth totaling more than 10 percent of revenues. Our strategy is to continue offering innovative solutions for semiconductor technology,” explains Hermann Gerlinger, Member of the Carl Zeiss AG Board and President and CEO of Carl Zeiss SMT.

Frank P. Averdung, Managing Director of Carl Zeiss SMT’s SMS Division, adds: “Pixer offers us totally new technical possibilities for our business, which are a perfect match for the existing product lines and system solutions for photomask defect analysis and repair.“

Hagay Sitry, President and CEO of Pixer Technology, says: “My team and I are very happy and excited about joining Carl Zeiss SMT. I believe that being part of a leading global company with the worldwide sales and service capabilities of Carl Zeiss SMT will open up new opportunities for Pixer and its customers.”