Aixtron sale process attracted interest from ASML Holdings, Veeco, other Chinese investors
Aixtron’s [ETR:AIXA] sale process attracted several strategic bidders including ASML Holding [AMS:ASML] and Veeco [NASDAQ:VECO], a person familiar with the situation said.
The German semiconductor company today announced a deal with Chinese investor Fujian Grand Chip Investment Fund (FGC). A process led by Aixtron’s adviser JP Morgan involved contact with other Chinese companies, the person said.
US rival Veeco was involved in the earlier stages, the person said. Dutch chip-maker ASML Holdings was also involved at various points, this person said.
ASML declined to comment. Veeco could not immediately be reached for comment.
Aixtron decided the EUR 670m FGC deal was its best option, the person said, adding that JP Morgan examined a wide range of strategic options.
In April, bankers pointed to Applied Materials [NASDAQ:AMAT], Tokyo Electron [TYO:8035] and ASML Holding [AMS:ASML] as potential rivals to Chinese interest. As non-direct competitors to Aixtron, they would face fewer antitrust risks than Veeco, this news service reported last month.