March 27, 2007 – Days after consolidating some of its manufacturing operations in Korea, Nanometrics Inc. has undergone another shift — this time in the CEO’s office. John Heaton has left the company (no details were provided by the company), with chief strategy officer Bruce Rhine taking the reins on an interim basis while a search is conducted for a permanent CEO.

Rhine was chairman/CEO of Accent Optical Inc., which Nanometrics acquired a year ago for ~$81 million. AOI also apparently was a catalyst for the company’s subsequent purchase of overlay metrology supplier Soluris, according to a prior WaferNEWS interview with CFO Doug McCutcheon.

“Since his arrival at Nanometrics seventeen years ago, John has worked to strengthen the company and position it as a leader in the metrology systems market. We wish him continued success in his career,” said Nanometrics chairman Vincent Coates, in a brief statement. No other details of Heaton’s departure were disclosed.

The move also comes just days after Nanometrics announced it will consolidate all of the company’s overlay metrology production at a facility in Korea, where Nanometrics already makes its Orion and Caliper systems, a move that will result in the closure of Soluris’ Concord, MA facility.