Aixtron

Infobox Company
company_name = Aixtron AG
company_
company_type = Public (FWB|AIX, NASDAQ|AXTMF)
foundation = 1983
location = Aachen, Germany
key_people = Kim Schindelhauer (Chairman of the supervisory board), Paul Hyland (President and CEO)
industry = Semiconductor industry
products = Metalorganic chemical vapour deposition equipment
revenue = €214.8 million (2007)cite web |url=http://www.aixtron.com/fileadmin/user_upload/IR/2007/Annual-Report-2007.pdf |title=Annual Report 2007 |publisher=Aixtron |accessdate=2008-06-09]
operating_income = profit €20.6 million (2007)
net_income = profit €17.3 million (2007)
num_employees = 610 (2007)
parent =
subsid =
homepage = [http://www.aixtron.com www.aixtron.com]
intl = yes

Aixtron AG (FWB|AIX, NASDAQ|AXTMF) is a German-based technology company which specialises in manufacturing metalorganic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) equipment for clients in the semiconductor industry. The company's shares are listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange with ADRs on the NASDAQ, and it is a constituent of the TecDAX index.

History

Aixtron was founded as a spin-out industry from RWTH Aachen University in 1983. [cite journal|title=Double decade anniversary|journal=III-Vs Review|volume=16|issue=6|pages=32|date=August 2003|publisher=Elsevier Science|doi=10.1016/S0961-1290(03)00782-8|accessdate=2008-06-09] The company listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange's now-defunct Neuer Markt in November 1997. [cite journal|last=Elston|first=Julie Ann|date=June 2002|title=An Examination of the Relationship Between Firm Size, Growth and Liquidity in the Neuer Markt|journal=Discussion Paper Series 1: Economic Studies|publisher=Economic Research Centre of the Deutsche Bundesbank|volume=2002|issue=15|url=http://www.bundesbank.de/download/volkswirtschaft/dkp/2002/200215dkp.pdf|accessdate=2008-06-09] Since going public the company has made several acquisitions, with the scientific equipment division of the British company Thomas Swan & Co. and the Swedish chemical vapor deposition equipment maker Epigress AB both purchased in 1999. [cite press release|url=http://www.aixtron.com/press/0911e.htm|title=AIXTRON acquires Thomas Swan's Scientific Equipment Division|date=September 1999|publisher=Aixtron|accessdate=2008-06-09] [cite press release|url=http://www.aixtron.com/press/1001e.htm|title=AIXTRON acquires a 70% interest in Swedish CVD equipment manufacturer EPIGRESS|date=October 1999|publisher=Aixtron|accessdate=2008-06-09]

The company completed a €118 million merger with American rival Genus, Inc. in March 2005 [cite news|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000100&sid=anC2W6wpzU.w&refer=germany|title=Aixtron Says Business Climate to Remain Difficult in 2005|last=Brandt|first=Nadja|date=31 March, 2005|work=Bloomberg|accessdate=2008-06-09] and bought British nanomaterial developer Nanoinstruments Ltd., a company spun out from the University of Cambridge, in 2007. [cite news|url=http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2007/10/08/afx4195510.html|title=Aixtron acquires UK co Nanoinstruments for undisclosed amount|date=8 October, 2007|work=AFX News|publisher=Forbes|accessdate=2008-06-09]

Operations

Four-fifths of Aixtron's revenues come from clients in Asia, with around 10% each coming from Europe and the U.S. The company produces metalorganic chemical vapour deposition equipment, used for making a range of electronic and opto-electronic products containing compound, organic and silicon-based semiconductors as well as nanotubes and nanofibers. [cite web|url=http://www.aixtron.com/index.php?id=853&L=1|title=Product Overview|publisher=Aixtron|accessdate=2008-06-09]

Many Aixtron systems use a "planetary reactor" process whereby gaseous semiconductor substances are deposited on revolving wafers, [cite web|url=http://www.answers.com/AIXTRON|title=Hoover's Profile: Aixtron Aktiengesellschaft|date=2008|work=Hoover's|accessdate=2008-06-09] while others utilise a "shower head" method of deposition.

References

External links

* [http://www.aixtron.com Official website]