Semiconductor wafer manufacturer EpiWorks Inc. has merged with II-VI Inc., a crystal material growth manufacturer. EpiWorks will operate as a business unit within II-VI and expand its production facility. “Long-term demand is strong for differentiated semiconductor technology that can be rapidly scaled to high-volume, and EpiWorks now has access to substantial expansion capital, a global footprint and sales support around the world,” said David Ahmari of EpiWorks’ sales, marketing and technology. “Teaming with II-VI allows us to go beyond the typical epiwafer foundry model by offering not just our leading wafer technology and II-VI’s substantial scale, but a level of sophistication, flexibility and capability needed in our rapidly evolving industry.” EpiWorks will continue to operate as an open metal organic chemical vapor phase deposition foundry. “The combination of II-VI and EpiWorks creates a world-class engineered semiconductor materials company that can uniquely innovate and scale next-generation technology and production methods,” said Quesnell Hartmann, general manager of II-VI EpiWorks. “We have an aggressive multiyear plan for additional capacity, new capabilities and novel products that cover a wide range of industries and markets.” EpiWorks develops and manufactures compound semiconductor epitaxial wafers for applications in optical components, wireless devices and high-speed communication systems. II-VI is a manufacturer of engineered materials and optoelectronic components for applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment and consumer markets.