29.11.2024
RUAG International's Lithography Division becomes part of ZEISS SMT
Zurich (CH) / Oberkochen (DE), December 2, 2024 – The acquisition of RUAG International's Lithography Division by ZEISS SMT (Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology), announced on September 5, 2024, has been successfully completed with the contractual closing. This milestone marks the transfer of more than 200 employees at the sites in Zurich-Seebach (Switzerland) and Coswig (Germany) to ZEISS SMT. With the remaining divisions Launchers and Satellites, Beyond Gravity will focus entirely on the space business in the future.
The acquisition of the Lithography division by ZEISS SMT announced on September 5, 2024, which was still subject to approval by the competition authorities, was successfully completed on December 1. While Beyond Gravity is now fully focused on the space sector, ZEISS SMT is continuing its expansion in the semiconductor industry. With the conclusion of the contract, ZEISS SMT has taken over the more than 200 employees and assets of the two production sites in Zurich (Switzerland) and Coswig (Germany). The Coswig site will be integrated into Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH and the Zurich site will operate under the name Carl Zeiss SMT Switzerland AG.
New prospects for the Lithography Division
The Lithography Division, which has been producing high-precision mechatronic assemblies for ZEISS SMT for more than 20 years, will have optimal opportunities for innovation and positive further development with its new owner ZEISS SMT. "In view of the SMT division's strong market position and its vision for the future, ZEISS offers the best conditions for the division - a new home where our lithography team can flourish, further develop its outstanding skills and, together with ZEISS, seize potential growth opportunities, especially in Switzerland. I would like to thank all my colleagues for their outstanding work over the past few years. With their expertise and energy, they will now focus on the joint success with ZEISS," commented André Wall, CEO of RUAG International, on the successful conclusion of the contract.
Dr. Frank Rohmund, who will succeed Andreas Pecher as President & Chief Executive Officer of ZEISS SMT in January, says: "We are investing in people, machines and infrastructure in order to meet the needs of end customers and continue to be a reliable partner for the semiconductor industry. By taking over the Lithography Division, with which we have been working closely for years, we are expanding our capacities and capabilities. The merger offers many opportunities for the future of our joint portfolio. We look forward to welcoming our new colleagues to the ZEISS team."
Contact RUAG International: Philipp Bircher, VP Communications & Branding,
philipp.bircher@beyondgravity.com, +41 79 790 11 81
Contact ZEISS SMT: Jeannine Rapp, Head of Communication and Implementation of Group Initiatives (SMT-C), jeannine.rapp@zeiss.com, +49 7364 20 75435