KLA-Tencor enters photovoltaic market with ICOS Vision Systems acquisition

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

KLA-Tencor Corporation has made a friendly acquire all shares in ICOS Vision Systems for approximately $465.8 million. ICOS’s primary business is inspection equipment for semiconductor packaging but has been successful in the more cost-conscious solar wafer inspection market at key processing steps.

In December 2007, ICOS received its largest single order to date for solar cell inspection equipment valued at €2.3 million with a Taiwanese PV cell manufacturer. ICOS stated at the time that it expected revenues within the PV market to grow rapidly in 2008 and expected revenues of between €16-20 million.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Anton De Proft, ICOS’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “I believe that combining the strengths of KLA-Tencor and ICOS would significantly increase our growth potential and provide remarkable resources for advanced technical development of our existing products and technologies. Both companies have highly complementary market positions, with no overlap in product lines.”

ICOS had revenues of €57.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.

Read Next

June 26, 2026
Waaree Renewable Technologies has acquired a 55% stake in Associated Power Structures for INR12.25 billion (US$129 million).
Premium
June 26, 2026
Europe’s solar industry seemed a little downbeat as it trudged to Munich for Intersolar Europe 2026 this week. Under the unforgiving June heat, PV Tech took the temperature of the industry.
June 26, 2026
VinEnergo and SunAsia Energy have partnered to develop 422MWp of floating solar projects in the Philippines.
Premium
June 26, 2026
PV Tech spoke with Bloomberg Intelligence about Nextpower's acquisition of Zimmermann and how this was a logical next step.
June 26, 2026
Chinese solar manufacturer Astronergy has launched ASTRO N7s 3.0, its latest residential solar module, at Intersolar Europe 2026.
June 25, 2026
R.Power has secured a €41.6 million (US$47.3 million) project finance facility for four solar projects in Romania with a combined capacity of approximately 75MWp.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
November 3, 2026
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
November 24, 2026
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
April 20, 2027
Istanbul, Türkiye