US-based DuPont Photomasks Inc. said it agreed to buy International Business Machines Corp.“s photomask-manufacturing unit in Corbeil-Essonnes, France.
DuPont Photomasks, which makes equipment used …
US-based DuPont Photomasks Inc. said it agreed to buy International Business Machines Corp.“s photomask-manufacturing unit in Corbeil-Essonnes, France. DuPont Photomasks, which makes equipment used in the production of semiconductors, said it also will enter into a multiyear supply agreement with IBM that will address much of IBM“s externally sourced mask needs. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. However, DuPont Photomasks expects to complete the deal within three months, and said it will offer jobs to all IBM employees in the photomask-manufacturing organization. Texas-based DuPont makes glass or quartz plates coated with chrome, etched into which are the master design images of a semiconductor circuit pattern. Semiconductor makers then take the custom-made photomasks and use them to reproduce their chips. The company said it will buy photomask-production equipment previously owned by IBM from Altis Semiconductor, a joint venture between Armonk, New York-based IBM and Infineon Technologies. Dupont Photomasks also said it will commit to invest in a new photomask-production facility, ensuring that it maintains an advanced development and production facility in Corbeil-Essonnes. DuPont Photomasks added that it expects the acquisition to add 6% to 9% to its revenue and to be accretive to earnings. The company reported net income of US$ 17.3 million, or US$ 1.09 a share, on sales of US$ 264 million for the year ended 30 June.