PAOLI, Pa. — AMETEK, Inc. announced that it has acquired CAMECA SAS, a manufacturer of elemental analysis systems used in advanced laboratory research, semiconductor and nanotechnology applications. CAMECA, based in Paris, was purchased from an investment group led by the Carlyle Group for approximately euro82 million (US $112 million). CAMECA has estimated annual sales of euro60 million (US $82 million).
''CAMECA is an excellent acquisition that significantly broadens our technical capabilities in differentiated, high-end analytical instrumentation. Its global customer base includes many of the world's leading semiconductor manufacturers and academic, government and industrial research facilities engaged in nanoscience and other materials science research,'' said Frank S. Hermance, AMETEK chairman and chief executive officer.
''CAMECA holds a leading position in each of its markets. Their products include secondary ion mass spectrometry, low-energy X-ray emission spectrometry, tomographic atom probe and electron probe microanalysis instrumentation,'' he added.
''CAMECA complements the products and technology offered by our SPECTRO and EDAX businesses. Those businesses provide a wide range of technology, including optical emission and X-ray fluorescence spectrometers for microanalysis measurement solutions for the metals, environmental, R&D, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, electronics and forensic science markets,'' Hermance said.
CAMECA joins AMETEK's Electronic Instruments Group — a global leader in advanced instruments for the process, aerospace, power and industrial markets with 2006 sales of more than $1 billion.
AMETEK is a leading global manufacturer of electronic instruments and electromechanical devices with 2006 sales of $1.8 billion.