Press Release

Successful Closing: Lithography from Beyond Gravity Becomes Part of ZEISS

2 December 2024 · 2 min read

ZEISS SMT Expands Production and Development Capacities
Lithography division of Beyond Gravity will be integrated into the ZEISS Semiconductor Segment

Oberkochen | 2 December 2024 | ZEISS Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology

ZEISS confirms the successful acquisition of the Lithography division of Beyond Gravity in Zurich (Switzerland) and Coswig (near Dresden, Germany), a leading provider of special actuators and complex mechatronic modules. On 1 December 2024, the Swiss high-tech company formerly known as RUAG International, became part of the ZEISS Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology (SMT) segment following the completion of the antitrust review. The Coswig site will be integrated into Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH. In the future, Zurich will operate as Carl Zeiss SMT Switzerland AG. With this acquisition, the ZEISS SMT segment is expanding its production and R&D capacities to meet the global demand for semiconductor manufacturing systems and strengthening its technology and growth leadership.

The picture shows the company building of Beyond Gravity in Zurich-Seebach (Switzerland). — In Zurich (Switzerland), the Lithography division of Beyond Gravity develops and manufactures actuators and complex mechatronic modules. The Swiss high-tech company has been part of the ZEISS Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology segment since 1 December 2024.

Support of the SMT team – for the success of the customers

"We would like to play an active role in shaping global digitalization and enable the semiconductor industry to achieve new technological leaps," says Dr. Frank Rohmund, who will succeed Andreas Pecher as President & Chief Executive Officer of SMT from January 2025. "In order to meet the needs of end customers and continue to be the reliable partner for the semiconductor industry, we are investing in people, machines and infrastructure. With the acquisition of the Lithography division of Beyond Gravity, with which we have been collaborating intensively 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 our team ZEISS."

"Given the SMT segment's strong market position and its vision for the future, ZEISS SMT 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 at the site 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", adds André Wall, Chief Executive Officer of RUAG International and Beyond Gravity.

The high-precision products of Beyond Gravity are an important element in the semiconductor supply chain. In addition to the high-tech infrastructure for the manufacturing of mechatronic products, Beyond Gravity also contributes innovative strength as well as R&D and engineering capacities. For the approximately 220 employees of the Lithography division of Beyond Gravity in Zurich and Coswig the transfer is designed in accordance with the legal regulations.

Press Contact Jeannine Rapp Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH

About ZEISS

ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise operating in the fields of optics and optoelectronics. In the previous fiscal year, the ZEISS Group generated annual revenue totaling 10 billion euros in its four segments Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology and Consumer Markets (status: 30 September 2023).

For its customers, ZEISS develops, produces and distributes highly innovative solutions for industrial metrology and quality assurance, microscopy solutions for the life sciences and materials research, and medical technology solutions for diagnostics and treatment in ophthalmology and microsurgery. The name ZEISS is also synonymous with the world's leading lithography optics, which are used by the chip industry to manufacture semiconductor components. There is global demand for trendsetting ZEISS brand products such as eyeglass lenses, camera lenses and binoculars.

With a portfolio aligned with future growth areas like digitalization, healthcare and Smart Production and a strong brand, ZEISS is shaping the future of technology and constantly advancing the world of optics and related fields with its solutions. The company's significant, sustainable investments in research and development lay the foundation for the success and continued expansion of ZEISS' technology and market leadership. ZEISS invests 15 percent of its revenue in research and development – this high level of expenditure has a long tradition at ZEISS and is also an investment in the future.

With over 44,000 employees, ZEISS is active globally in around 50 countries with more than 60 sales and service locations, 35 research and development facilities, and 35 production facilities worldwide (status: 31 March 2024). Founded in 1846 in Jena, the company is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany. The Carl Zeiss Foundation, one of the largest foundations in Germany committed to the promotion of science, is the sole owner of the holding company, Carl Zeiss AG.

Further information at www.zeiss.com

Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology

With its product portfolio and expertise, the Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology segment of ZEISS covers a variety of key processes in the production of microchips. Its products include semiconductor manufacturing optics – notably lithography optics – as well as photomask systems and process control solutions for semiconductor manufacturing. Thanks to ZEISS technology, microchips are becoming increasingly smaller, more powerful, more energy-efficient and more affordable. The electronic applications of these ongoing enhancements enable global progress in many disciplines such as technology, electronics, communication, entertainment, mobility and energy. Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology is headquartered in Oberkochen. Other sites include Jena, Rossdorf, Wetzlar, Aachen and Coswig (Germany), Zurich (Switzerland), as well as Bar Lev (Israel) and Dublin, CA and Danvers, MA (USA).

Press Photos

In Zurich (Switzerland), the Lithography division of Beyond Gravity develops and manufactures actuators and complex mechatronic modules.

The Swiss high-tech company has been part of the ZEISS Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology segment since 1 December 2024.

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