February 22, 2001–Tokyo, Japan–Hitachi, Ltd. and Nissei Sangyo Co., Ltd. announced today an agreement under which Hitachi’s Instruments Group and Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment Group will be separated and merged with Nissei Sangyo on October 1. At that time, Nissei Sangyo will change its name to Hitachi Advanced Technologies, Ltd.
The new company will integrate Hitachi’s instruments and semiconductor manufacturing equipment operations with Nissei Sangyo’s trading company functions, and will also take over sales of Hitachi Medical’s clinical testing systems, resulting in an integrated management system in these high-technology areas that encompasses everything from development through to manufacturing, marketing, and services. This is intended to speed up decision-making in both business sectors, increasing management efficiency.
Formal approval of the agreement will take place in June.