Applied Materials, Inc. announced 26 June 2007 that it has agreed to acquire HCT Shaping Systems SA (HCT), a privately-held company based in Switzerland. HCT is the world“s leading supplier of precis…
Applied Materials, Inc. announced 26 June 2007 that it has agreed to acquire HCT Shaping Systems SA (HCT), a privately-held company based in Switzerland. HCT is the world“s leading supplier of precision wafering systems used principally in manufacturing crystalline silicon (c-Si) substrates for the solar industry. Under the terms of the agreement, Applied Materials will pay approximately CHF 583 million (USD 475 million) in cash for all of the outstanding shares of HCT. The acquisition is part of Applied Materials“ strategy to accelerate customers“ ability to reduce the costs of photovoltaic (PV) cell manufacturing in order to make solar energy more competitive with grid electricity.