Veeco Buys ThermoMicroscopes.Plainview, NY 7/16/01--Veeco Instruments has acquired ThermoMicroscopes from Thermo Electron Thermo Electron Corporation (TMO (NYSE)) (incorporated 1956) is a major provider of analytical instruments and services for a variety of domains.Thermo has revenues of over $2 billion, and employs 11,000 people in 30 countries. for an undisclosed amount. ThermoMicroscopes will change its name to TM Microscopes and will become part of Veeco's Metrology Group. ThermoMicroscopes manufactures atomic force microscopes atomic force microscope (AFM), device that uses a spring-mounted probe to image individual atoms on the surface of a material. Unlike the scanning tunneling microscope, which is also a scanning probe microscope, the AFM can be used on materials that do not conduct , scanning probe microscopes, near field optical microscopes and probes. In 2000, it posted revenues of approximately $14 million. Veeco stated that the acquisition gives it the most complete product line, including low cost research microscopes and products for material science and nanoscience applications. In addition, the deal gives it access to proprietary tip technology. ThermoMicroscopes was created by ThermoSpectra acquisitions of Park Scientific (see IBO Ibo: see Igbo. 1/31/07) and Topometrix (see IBO 10/15/ 98). Together, these acquisitiond cost Thermo $25 million and represented acquired annual revenues of over $25 million. The 2000 revenues of $14 million indicate just how troubled this business has been. This deal also raises possible anti-trust issues as Veeco now controls the lion's share of the SPM SPM - Sequential Parlog Machine market. In addition, this deal signals what may be a new period of divestments for ThermoElectron ther·mo·e·lec·tron n. An electron emitted by a material at high temperatures. . |
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