Might be a good fit.
MKS' nearest products to that are the Spectra Optical Systems (acquired last year). The "TFTM" is for transparent and semi-transparent materials only:
mksinst.com
Sequential growth from Q3 to Q4 was semi 6%, thin film 30%; other 14%. Within semi, plasma etch and CVD were mentioned as areas of particular strength. One strategy would be to assume those trends in relative strength will continue until we see otherwise, and look to add new process monitoring capabilities in the strong areas.
Thin film comprises disc drives, flat panel displays, optoelectronics, optical fiber manufacturing, etc. However, that was only about 12% of MKS' sales and will be a lower percentage for the combined company. So, my guess is that the next acquisition will be aimed at CVD or plasma etch; maybe CVD since they just did a big one in plasma with ASTeX.
Re: metaphors with color
Well, this is a company of engineers - of the no-nonsense Dilbert variety. So, they can ask for color, but they'll get mostly black and white, maybe a few shades of gray. They don't really expect a rap session from Bertucci, do they? I thought a couple of the analysts were just fishing for tidbits on any MKS customers they also happen to cover.
WT |
