Tokyo
Electron,
which
makes
production
equipment
for
semiconductors
and
flat-panel
displays,
says
the
acquisition
will
help
its
goal
of
establishing
solar
panel
equipment
as
one
of
its
core
businesses.
The
Tokyo-based
company
already
has
a
joint
venture
with
Sharp
that
produces
module
manufacturing
equipment.
The
takeover
of
Oerlikon
Solar
–
a
subsidiary
of
the
Oerlikon
Group
–
is
subject
to
regulatory
approval
in
several
countries,
but
Tokyo
Electron
expects
to
conclude
the
deal
by
June.
Oerlikon
Solar
has
870MW
of
production
capacity
and
made
sales
of
Sfr254m
($278m)
in
2010.
It
employs…
