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[July 2007]
Ceradyne Acquires Raw Materials Supplier Minco
Ceradyne Inc (Costa Mesa, CA, USA) has announced that it has acquired Minco Inc (Midway, TN, USA) for approximately US$27.5 million in cash. Minco was founded in 1977 to manufacture and market fused silica powders for a wide range of industrial applications. Minco's fusing process, which is the basis of its entire product line, is based on its proprietary technology.
Minco is a key supplier of raw materials to Ceradyne's Thermo Materials division in Scottdale, Georgia. The Minco powders are used in Ceradyne's high purity fused silica ceramic crucibles for use in the manufacture of photovoltaic polycrystalline silicon solar cells and will be extensively used in the recently opened Ceradyne factory in Tianjin, China, for its crucible product line.
Minco's annual sales are estimated to be in the low US$20 million range. It is a profitable venture and is anticipated to be immediately accretive. Bruce Lockhart, Ceradyne's Vice President and President of Ceradyne Thermo Materials, commented: "I am extremely pleased and excited over this acquisition. The acquisition assures us a quality supply of fused silica powders to support our solar energy efforts, particularly in China. Furthermore, it is anticipated that Minco's strong position in the supply of its materials for use in Precision Investment Casting (PIC) will allow us to further support our strategy of expanding our industrial base globally.
"Since Minco has been a supplier to Ceradyne Thermo Materials for decades, we are acquainted and comfortable with its products and its people. I anticipate that all Minco's management will stay in place."
Tom Cole, Minco President, said: "We, at Minco, are pleased with the acquisition and look forward to being part of the Ceradyne team. Our ceramic technology culture fits Ceradyne's requirements and the joining of our raw materials base with Ceradyne's advanced technical ceramic products and markets will result in a vertically integrated product line."
www.ceradyne.com
ENDS