PEER Group, Inc. announced today that it signed an agreement to acquire all of Asyst Technologies' connectivity software products. The deal is expected to close no later than August 31, 2009.
Asyst products are used by more than 80% of the Tier 1 and Tier 2 semiconductor equipment manufacturers for factory automation connectivity and approximately one third of today's 300mm fabs for either connectivity or simulation testing. Included in the transaction are Asyst's FAST Framework™ products targeted for highly automated assembly plants and currently used in eleven plants globally. PEER Group will continue to provide product licenses, upgrades, and technical support per customers' existing contracts.
“Because of their excellent software engineering, solution development and customer service, PEER Group became the leading value-added reseller of our connectivity products,” says Paula LuPriore, CRO of Asyst Technologies. “They understand both fab and assembly automation strategies from the customer perspective and have successfully developed innovative products and services that improve equipment development and manufacturing productivity.”
Equipment manufacturers, fabs, and assembly plants are looking to drive down the cost of automation compliance while, at the same time, increase manufacturing flexibility and equipment reliability. The addition of Asyst's market-leading software products will enhance PEER Group's ability to deliver software productivity solutions to help OEMs, fabs, and assembly plants deploy automation systems that improve manufacturing efficiency.
“PEER Group is really focused on improving equipment-level factory automation for OEMs, fabs and assembly plants”, says Jim Holliday, vice president of Asyst Technologies Connectivity Software Group. “With the success of the PEER Tool Orchestrator product, acquisition of CCS Envoy™ and introduction of the PEER Factory Acceptance Tester, PEER Group was already the established leader in tool automation software and test applications. By adding the Asyst connectivity products, PEER Group now has the full complement of products to take the leadership role in automation software and drive improvements in manufacturing productivity.”
“Asyst's market-leading connectivity products are the basis for tens of thousands of production automation connections around the world,” says Mike Kropp, COO of PEER Group. “Leveraging their solid technology foundation and large installation base will enable us to more rapidly implement our strategy of bringing reliable equipment automation solutions to both the semiconductor and photovoltaic industries.”
Following the close of the transaction, PEER Group will be able to offer the industry a total of thirteen equipment automation software products including simulation, testing, tool automation, station controller, and connectivity products.
PEER Group provides leading-edge factory automation software solutions, integration and consulting services to advanced manufacturers and OEMs in the semiconductor, electronics, life sciences, automotive and solar industries. Many of the world's best manufacturing companies turn to PEER Group to solve their most challenging equipment automation, data management and custom application development problems. PEER Group partners with leading software and automation companies to ensure the most efficient delivery of highly functional, reliable and scalable solutions.
Greg Kaminski greg.kaminski@peergroup.com 1 519-749-9554
© 2009 The PEER Group Inc. PTO, CCS Envoy and PFAT are trademarks of The PEER Group Inc.