To: Ian@SI who wrote (476 ) 4/6/1999 6:29:00 PM From: BMcV Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 1138
Ian, PRN release has more info: Brooks Automation to Acquire Korean-Based Hanyon Technology Hanyon Acquisition Would Strengthen Brooks Momentum in Semiconductor and LCD Industry with Expanded Factory Automation Software Development Capabilities and Enhanced Support for Customers in Korea and Taiwan CHELMSFORD, Mass., April 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Brooks Automation Inc., (Nasdaq: BRKS - news), a leader in semiconductor factory automation solutions, today announced that it has signed a purchase and sale agreement to acquire Korean-based Hanyon Technology, an established provider of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and automation software and systems integration services for the semiconductor and LCD industry in Korea and Taiwan. Hanyon has tremendous experience in semiconductor wafer fab automation and has implemented Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) automation solutions in several well-known 8 inch wafer fabs in Korea and Taiwan. Hanyon, as an integral component of Brooks' Factory Automation Software division, would focus on developing, augmenting and supporting Brooks' FASTech MES software solution in Korea and Taiwan, including FACTORYworks® MES, CELLworks® and STATIONworks(TM) real-time equipment automation software, and Xsite(TM) equipment and facility maintenance management software. Hanyon's DREAMS software, a leading suite of cell control and automation products, would be integrated into Brooks' FASTech solution. Companies such as Samsung, Hyundai, and LG Semicon in Korea and Mosel Vitelic (ProMOS), UICC, USIC, and Winbond in Taiwan are all customers of Hanyon's automation software and services. Robert J. Therrien, President and Chief Executive Officer of Brooks Automation, Inc., stated: ''We are very proud to have Hanyon join the Brooks family. We have the highest level of respect for the Manufacturing Execution System (MES) and automation expertise that Hanyon has acquired over the last ten years, and the subsequent breadth and quality of their products and services. We believe that the integration of Hanyon's Distributed Real-time Environment for Automation Manufacturing System (DREAMS) technology and FACTORYworks® add-on applications into our growing suite of best-in-class products would provide our customers with the industry's most comprehensive set of MES capabilities.'' H. K. Park, President of Hanyon Technology, said: ''We believe this merger would give Brooks Automation great reach and credibility in the Asian semiconductor marketplace. We have been supporting deployments for Brooks Automation as a FASTech Distributor since 1991. We are very familiar with Brooks' people, products and customers and we practice the best deployment methods to efficiently meet our joint customers manufacturing requirements. Our combined customer base would benefit from the complementary strengths of both companies as together we offer best-in-class MES and automation products and services to efficiently support our global customers in the semiconductor industry.'' Jim Pelusi, Senior Vice President of Brooks Automation Software, added: ''Hanyon has a top-tier client base in Korea and Taiwan and their strong local presence should enable Brooks to provide world-class support to our customers in these regions. As Brooks Automation strives to become the global leader in integrated tool and factory automation hardware and software solutions, the acquisition of Hanyon greatly accelerates its momentum and strengthens its value proposition to customers, specifically in Korea, Taiwan and the rest of Asia.'' While details of the financing transaction have not been disclosed, the purchase of Hanyon Technology will be for cash. Brooks will use the purchase accounting method to account for the acquisition of Hanyon, which is expected to be accretive to earnings in fiscal 1999 and 2000. In calendar 1998, Hanyon revenues were approximately $6 million.