SPTS Acquires XACTIX Inc. to Expand Etch Offering

NEWPORT, Wales, June 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

SPTS Technologies, a supplier of advanced wafer processing solutions for the global semiconductor industry and related markets, today announced that it has acquired XACTIX, Inc., the market leading provider of xenon difluoride (XeF₂)-based release etch technology.  XACTIX is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

     (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130116/588621 )
  

Manufacturing micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) devices such as microphones, inertial sensors and RF switches, often requires a "release etch" step to remove a sacrificial layer to allow free movement of specific parts of the mechanical structure.  By adding the XACTIX product line to its HF vapor phase release offering, SPTS now supports release technologies for silicon/molybdenum/germanium and silicon oxide sacrificial layers.  Both processes offer advantages over traditional wet etch solutions because they eliminate "stiction" between moving parts, which can make precision MEMS devices inoperable.

SPTS and XACTIX jointly developed the CVE single wafer XeF₂ release etch module and have shared sales/marketing channels over a number of years.  

"Bringing XACTIX's technology and product portfolio into the SPTS family is a natural and logical step for us." said William Johnson, president and CEO at SPTS. "This expands our product offering in MEMS release etch and adds to our MEMS toolbox."

Kyle Lebouitz, CTO & Founder of XACTIX echoed these sentiments, "This evolution of the long-standing relationship between SPTS and XACTIX will expand our opportunities in the MEMS market, and provide our customers with an enlarged and comprehensive sales and support infrastructure."  

XACTIX operations and personnel will now become part of SPTS' Release Etch Division, also based in Pennsylvania.  

About SPTS Technologies

SPTS Technologies (a Bridgepoint portfolio company) designs, manufactures, sells, and supports etch, PVD, CVD and thermal wafer processing solutions for the MEMS, advanced packaging, LEDs, high speed RF on GaAs, and power management device markets. With manufacturing facilities in Newport, Wales, Allentown, Pennsylvania, and San Jose, California, the company operates across 19 countries in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific. For more information about SPTS Technologies, please visit http://www.spts.com

SOURCE SPTS Technologies Ltd

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