KLA-Tencor’s April 2001 purchase of substantially all Phase Metrics assets was intended to bring complementary data-storage manufacturing capabilities together: KLA’s front-end metrology and inspection and Phase Metrics’ back-end inspection and testing.
What KLA-Tencor bought and when
KLA-Tencor announced the planned acquisition on April 11, 2001. Its fiscal-2001 filing confirms that the asset purchase took place in April, so the deal was completed that month rather than remaining only a proposal.
The filing records approximately $18.9 million in cash, including approximately $1.3 million in acquisition costs. KLA allocated the purchase value as follows:
| Asset category | Amount recorded |
|---|---|
| Net tangible assets | $13.1 million |
| Identifiable intangible assets | $4.9 million |
| In-process research and development | $0.7 million |
| Goodwill | Approximately $0.2 million |
These are the allocations reported in KLA-Tencor’s fiscal-2001 filing; the filing describes the transaction as a purchase of substantially all assets, not as an acquisition of Phase Metrics stock.
#1 Best Overall
- Precision Wafer & Chip Handling Tool:Designed for accurate handling of silicon wafers, semiconductor chips, crystals, and other delicate flat components in laboratory and industrial environments.
- Industrial Stainless Steel Construction:Made from high-quality stainless steel with excellent rigidity, durability, and long-term stability for professional precision applications.
- Non-Magnetic & Contamination-Reducing Design:Non-magnetic structure helps ensure stable performance in sensitive electronic and microelectronic environments while reducing operational interference.
- Anti-Slip Grip for Better Control:Textured handle design improves grip stability and control during long-time precision operations, reducing slipping risks and improving handling accuracy.
- Multiple Model Options Available:Available in different VETUS precision models (e.g., 91-3T, 91-4L, 91-4T) to meet various wafer and micro-component handling requirements.
What Phase Metrics made and how it complemented KLA
Phase Metrics supplied equipment used in data-storage manufacturing, including testers for testing and verifying disk-drive heads and disks, as well as servowriters used by hard-disk-drive assembly plants. EDN reported that the company’s testers had an installed base of more than 4,200 worldwide in 2001.
| Business | Manufacturing focus | Role |
|---|---|---|
| KLA-Tencor’s existing storage operation | Front end | Metrology and inspection to support process control and yield management |
| Phase Metrics | Back end | Inspection, certification and testing of storage products and components |
The strategic fit was the manufacturing sequence: KLA brought capabilities focused earlier in storage production, while Phase Metrics addressed later-stage inspection and test. The combination was meant to offer storage manufacturers a more connected set of yield-management tools, rather than two unrelated product lines.
Rank #2
- IC Type: Semiconductor
- Each wafer fragment contains visible integrated circuit patterns for demonstration and display purposes only.
- Made from single-crystal silicon wafer material for authentic semiconductor teaching and research.
- Ideal for electronics courses, microfabrication demonstrations, and STEM student projects.
- Also suitable for art installations, photography props, and chip design exhibitions.
How KLA planned to integrate the businesses
KLA said the combined operation would bring products and commercial support together for data-storage customers, including sales, marketing and customer support. The planned storage division was to operate from Phase Metrics’ existing facilities in San Diego, Fremont and Hayward, California, with Frank Brienzo as general manager.
At the announcement, KLA-Tencor president and CEO Ken Schroeder described storage as a growing high-tech segment in which sophisticated yield management and process control were important to manufacturing success. That statement framed the purchase as an expansion into a market where KLA expected its process-control expertise to complement Phase Metrics’ storage-focused test and inspection business.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsRank #3
- devised for optimal storage and transport of semiconductor wafers and single crystal substrates in cleanroom environments.
- Constructed from durable polypropylene (PP) material, ensuring maximum grip and minimal pressure during handling.
- Includes a spider ring for effective pressure retention, ensuring wafers remain secure and undamaged.
- Features a conical base devise that supports wafers at the edges, preventing direct and potential damage.
- Each pack contains 10 versatile cases in sizes ranging from 2" to 6", perfect for various wafer handling needs.
Why the acquisition mattered
The deal expanded KLA-Tencor’s data-storage business across more stages of manufacturing and added Phase Metrics’ established tester footprint and HDD-focused equipment. Its significance was the combination of complementary capabilities and customer channels, not simply the addition of another inspection product.
The available contemporary reporting and KLA filing establish the transaction terms and intended organizational structure. They do not, by themselves, quantify the acquisition’s later revenue contribution or prove that the planned integration produced the forecast market position.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Durable construction ensures long-lasting protection for your silicon wafers and chips during transport and storage.
- Semi-transparent cover allows for easy inspection of contents without the need to open the box, enhancing efficiency in laboratory environments.
- devised with a protective insert to protect chips from collisions, ensuring safe handling and transport of delicate components.
- Labeled “ZHONG SU-” for easy identification and management, making it ideal for organized storage in educational and laboratory environments.
- Perfect for sample display, storage, transport, and teaching purposes, this versatile box meets the needs of professionals and students alike.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
