BOC Edwards to Acquire Seiko Pump Business

CRAWLEY, UK, Feb. 7 -- BOC Edwards, supplier of vacuum pumps to the semiconductor industry, said it is in discussion with Seiko Instruments Inc. (SII) and has reached broad terms of agreement to purchase its turbomolecular pump business. The deal is expected to be complete by the end of March, subject to various conditions and regulatory approvals. Turbo pump development and production, together with employees, will remain at the Narashino factory in Chiba Prefecture, Japan.

BOC Edwards has an 18-year association with SII and is currently the sole distributor for Europe, the US and Korea.