Tokyo Electron Limited (TSE: 8035) and FSI International, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSII), entered into a definitive agreement under which TEL will acquire FSI for $6.20 per share in cash, or an aggregate equity purchase price of approximately $252.5 million. This marks further consolidation in the wafer cleaning/surface preparation equipment market, following Applied Materials’ acquisition of Semitool in 2009 and Lam Research’s acquisition of SEZ in 2007.

FSI, a provider of cleaning and surface preparation equipment, has process capabilities complementary to TEL’s. Surface preparation has increasingly become a critical technology in semiconductor manufacturing, and TEL is focused on improving its market position.

Hiroshi Takenaka, President and CEO of TEL, commented: “FSI has a long history as a technology innovator in surface preparation. They have repeatedly developed creative solutions to key challenges in semiconductor manufacturing. I’m convinced that the acquisition will expand TEL’s business by strengthening our ability to provide effective solutions for the full range of current and future customer applications, thereby increasing value to our shareholders.”

Donald Mitchell, Chairman and CEO of FSI, added: "This transaction represents a compelling opportunity for FSI shareholders, employees and customers. By combining the market position, scale and operational excellence of Tokyo Electron with the leading edge surface preparation solutions from FSI, we can ensure that semiconductor manufacturers have access to the advanced technology they need for success at 28 nanometers and below. We are pleased to become part of Tokyo Electron, a premier company in the semiconductor production equipment industry.”

The purchase price represents a premium of 53.5% to the closing price of FSI's common shares on August 10, 2012. The acquisition, which will be completed pursuant to a cash tender offer followed by a second step merger, has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of TEL and FSI. The board of directors of FSI unanimously recommends that FSI’s shareholders tender their shares into the tender offer. The transaction is expected to close in calendar year 2012.

Under the terms of the definitive merger agreement between TEL and FSI, TEL, through an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, will commence a cash tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares of FSI’s common stock for $6.20 per share. The closing of the tender offer is subject to customary terms and conditions, including the tender of a number of shares that constitutes at least a majority of FSI’s outstanding shares of common stock, on a fully diluted basis, and receipt of required regulatory approvals, including expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act. The agreement also provides for the parties to effect, subject to customary conditions, a merger following the completion of the tender offer that would result in all shares not tendered in the tender offer being converted into the right to receive $6.20 per share in cash. TEL will finance the acquisition from its existing cash resources.

Goldman Sachs is serving as exclusive financial adviser to Tokyo Electron in connection with the acquisition, and Jones Day is its legal adviser. Barclays is serving as exclusive financial adviser to FSI in connection with the acquisition, and Faegre Baker Daniels LLP is its legal adviser.