Applied Materials expands

Applied Materials is planning a major expansion of its European operations, including those based in the UK. The expansion is occurring at the implant division in Horsham, Sussex, which has already expanded its manufacturing capacity to meet a five-fold increase in demand for ion-implant systems since early 1999. A further strand of Applied's European activities is now concentrated on the refurbishment and upgrade operation at Crolles, France. An 1,100-square-meter facility, including a 300-square-meter cleanroom, was opened recently. — LB

Fedders acquires Trion

Fedders Corp., a manufacturer of air-conditioning products, has completed its acquisition of commercial and industrial air purifier specialist Trion Inc., which will be part of the Fedders Engineered Product Group. Trion will support the most popular range of electrostatic air purifiers on the market for use in commercial and industrial indoor air quality applications. For the cleanroom sector, Trion will continue to offer the Mac 10 brand of fan filter units through its Envirco operation. — LB

Shield Medicare offers cleanroom contract manufacturing

For medical device manufacturers, UK-based Shield Medicare now offers a cleanroom contract manufacturing service that includes pre-contract advice and consultation, with assistance sourcing and specifying components where necessary. The production facility is fully accredited with ISO Class 7 (Class 10,000) cleanrooms. — LB

ABB Airtech wins cleanroom contract in Portugal

The Swedish company ABB Airtech AB, part of the Swiss-Swedish ABB group, has received a SEK 25m contract for a cleanroom from the Portuguese pharmaceuticals company Jaba. The contract includes materials supply, construction and installation of cleanroom and ventilation at Jaba's facilities in Lisbon. — LB