Aixtron

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Aixtron AG
Type Public (FWB: AIX, NASDAQ: AXTMF)
Founded 1983
Headquarters Aachen, Germany
Key people Kim Schindelhauer (Chairman of the supervisory board), Paul Hyland (President and CEO)
Industry Semiconductor industry
Products Metalorganic chemical vapour deposition equipment
Revenue €214.8 million (2007)[1]
Operating income ▲ €20.6 million (2007)[1]
Profit ▲ €17.3 million (2007)[1]
Employees 610 (2007)[1]
Website www.aixtron.com

Aixtron AG (FWB: AIX, NASDAQ: AXTMF) is a German-based technology company which specialises in manufacturing metalorganic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) equipment for clients in the semiconductor industry. The company's shares are listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange with ADRs on the NASDAQ, and it is a constituent of the TecDAX index.

Contents

[edit] History

Aixtron was founded as a spin-out industry from RWTH Aachen University in 1983.[2] The company listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange's now-defunct Neuer Markt in November 1997.[3] Since going public the company has made several acquisitions, with the scientific equipment division of the British company Thomas Swan & Co. and the Swedish chemical vapor deposition equipment maker Epigress AB both purchased in 1999.[4][5]

The company completed a €118 million merger with American rival Genus, Inc. in March 2005[6] and bought British nanomaterial developer Nanoinstruments Ltd., a company spun out from the University of Cambridge, in 2007.[7]

[edit] Operations

Four-fifths of Aixtron's revenues come from clients in Asia, with around 10% each coming from Europe and the U.S.[1] The company produces metalorganic chemical vapour deposition equipment, used for making a range of electronic and opto-electronic products containing compound, organic and silicon-based semiconductors as well as nanotubes and nanofibers.[8]

Many Aixtron systems use a "planetary reactor" process whereby gaseous semiconductor substances are deposited on revolving wafers,[9] while others utilise a "shower head" method of deposition.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e Annual Report 2007. Aixtron. Retrieved on 2008-06-09.
  2. ^ "Double decade anniversary" (August 2003). III-Vs Review 16 (6): 32. Elsevier Science. doi:10.1016/S0961-1290(03)00782-8. 
  3. ^ Elston, Julie Ann (June 2002). "An Examination of the Relationship Between Firm Size, Growth and Liquidity in the Neuer Markt". Discussion Paper Series 1: Economic Studies 2002 (15). Economic Research Centre of the Deutsche Bundesbank. 
  4. ^ Aixtron (September 1999). "AIXTRON acquires Thomas Swan's Scientific Equipment Division". Press release. Retrieved on 2008-06-09.
  5. ^ Aixtron (October 1999). "AIXTRON acquires a 70% interest in Swedish CVD equipment manufacturer EPIGRESS". Press release. Retrieved on 2008-06-09.
  6. ^ Brandt, Nadja. "Aixtron Says Business Climate to Remain Difficult in 2005", Bloomberg, 31 March 2005. Retrieved on 2008-06-09. 
  7. ^ "Aixtron acquires UK co Nanoinstruments for undisclosed amount", AFX News, Forbes, 8 October 2007. Retrieved on 2008-06-09. 
  8. ^ Product Overview. Aixtron. Retrieved on 2008-06-09.
  9. ^ Hoover's Profile: Aixtron Aktiengesellschaft. Hoover's (2008). Retrieved on 2008-06-09.

[edit] External links

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TecDAX companies of Germany

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