MKS Instruments Acquires Korean RF Company

CGI Korea (Korea M&A) & Shinhan Bank advised on the divestment of Plasmart, leading plasma technology company.

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ANDOVER, Mass., Aug. 30, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MKS Instruments, Inc. (Nasdaq:MKSI), a global provider of technologies that enable advanced processes and improve productivity, announces the acquisition of Plasmart, Inc. of Daejeon, Korea in a cash transaction closed yesterday.

Plasmart develops radio frequency (RF) plasma generation and monitoring systems for the semiconductor, flat panel display, AMOLED and solar photovoltaic industries. Founded in 2000 by four KAIST PhD physicists, Plasmart, with approximately 65 employees, designs and manufactures a full product suite of single, dual and triple frequency RF matches, RF generators, plasma monitoring systems and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) sources. Plasmart's innovative and highly respected engineers and scientists have enabled Plasmart to penetrate and win business with key customers. The company's expertise in RF systems and competitive successes were key drivers in the selection of Plasmart for acquisition.

Leo Berlinghieri, Chief Executive Officer and President, said, "The acquisition of Plasmart with its applications experience will strengthen and augment MKS' existing RF power capability, provide greater access to the important Korean market, and enhance our ability to serve our Asian customer base. Plasmart is a strategic acquisition offering multiple growth opportunities in the semiconductor market as well as other advanced and growing markets."

"We are pleased to be joining a global technology leader. Being a part of MKS provides resources and additional opportunities for Plasmart to grow," said Dr. Yong Kwan Lee, Plasmart Chief Executive Officer and President. Plasmart will continue its operations in Korea as a wholly owned subsidiary of MKS Instruments.

About MKS Instruments

MKS Instruments, Inc. is a global provider of instruments, subsystems and process control solutions that measure, control, power, monitor and analyze critical parameters of advanced manufacturing processes to improve process performance and productivity. Our products are derived from our core competencies in pressure measurement and control, materials delivery, gas composition analysis, control and information technology, power and reactive gas generation, and vacuum technology. Our primary served markets are manufacturers of capital equipment for semiconductor devices, and for other thin film applications including flat panel displays, solar cells, light emitting diodes, data storage media, and other advanced coatings. We also leverage our technology in other markets with advanced manufacturing applications including medical equipment, pharmaceutical manufacturing, energy generation, and environmental monitoring.

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