Fremont-Based Asyst to Buy Another 44% of Japanese Joint Venture

Fremont, Calif. -- Asyst Technologies, a Fremont-based maker of automation tools used in semiconductor and flat panel display manufacturing, said on Thursday that it has signed a deal to acquire an additional 44.1% of its Asyst Shinko Inc. (ASI) joint venture for about $102 million. Asyst and Shinko Electric formed the joint venture in Japan in 2002, with Asyst holding 51% and Shinko 49% equity ownership. Asyst Shinko will maintain its current headquarters in Tokyo and manufacturing plants in Ise and Toyohashi, Japan. A year after the deal closes, Asyst can buy the final 4.9% of the company for another $11 million. 
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