TAIPEI -- ASML Holding of the Netherlands, the world's top manufacturer of lithography scanners used for chipmaking equipment, announced on Thursday it will acquire all outstanding shares of Taiwan-based Hermes Microvision. The deal will total some 100 billion New Taiwan dollars ($3.09 billion).
Hermes Microvision specializes in inspection equipment that uses advanced beam tools capable of detecting tiny defects. It has a significant share in the global market. The buyout could accelerate mergers and acquisitions in the global semiconductor market.