Align-Rite to Buy Harris Mask Shop

Electronic News, May 10, 1999 by Jeff Dorsch

Los Angeles-based Align-Rite International Inc. last week reported signing a non-binding letter of intent to purchase Harris Corp.'s Imaging Technology Group (ITG), a photomask manufacturing unit located in Melbourne, Fla. Financial terms weren't disclosed.

Align-Rite said ITG generated revenues of approximately $11 million in 1998 and supplies mask products to Harris Semiconductor and to other U.S. semiconductor manufacturers. The unit currently has 56 employees and a manufacturing facility measuring 30,000 square feet. The mask shop can handle 0.35-micron design rules.

ITG is the only commercial mask-making facility in the United States currently certified to produce classified, high-end photomasks for the U.S. Department of Defense, Align-Rite added.

The proposed acquisition is subject to a number of conditions, including the concluding of a definitive agreement, completion of due diligence, regulatory approval and final agreement on the financial terms of the transaction.