By integrating SierraTherm products, Schmid has expanded its solar cell production product portfolio, adding diffusion, drying and firing furnaces, as well as atmospheric pressure CVD systems (chemical vapor deposition) for thin film applications. Schmid and SierraTherm have a successful history of past collaboration. Schmid has been supplying SierraTherm furnaces to turnkey projects since 2005. By collaborating even more closely, the companies will bring improved concepts and innovative products to bear on a rapidly developing market. Gebr. Schmid has assumed exclusive global distribution rights from SierraTherm for turnkey projects.
Gebr. Schmid was founded in 1864 in Freudenstadt, Germany, as an iron foundry and mechanical workshop. Schmid develops and produces equipment in three business sectors -- solar and photovoltaics, printed circuit boards and flat panel displays -- in state-of-the-art facilities in 13 locations worldwide, of which 3 locations are in Germany. In the photovoltaic sector Schmid is now the global market leader, supplying production equipment for wafer production, cell production, and module assembly -- from individual equipment to complete turnkey factories. Schmid has approximately 1,800 employees worldwide. The company's sales volume was 400 million Euros in 2008.
SierraTherm Production Furnaces, Inc. is headquartered in Watsonville, CA, USA and manufactures a wide variety of thermal processing and APCVD thin film deposition equipment for both the electronics industry as well as for solar cell production. SierraTherm was founded in 1992 and is a world leader in the design and manufacture of innovative, precisely controlled conveyor furnaces. Approximately 140 SierraTherm employees work at the headquarters in Watsonville, CA.
Gebr. Schmid was founded in 1864 in Freudenstadt, Germany, as an iron foundry and mechanical workshop. Schmid develops and produces equipment in three business sectors -- solar and photovoltaics, printed circuit boards and flat panel displays -- in state-of-the-art facilities in 13 locations worldwide, of which 3 locations are in Germany. In the photovoltaic sector Schmid is now the global market leader, supplying production equipment for wafer production, cell production, and module assembly -- from individual equipment to complete turnkey factories. Schmid has approximately 1,800 employees worldwide. The company's sales volume was 400 million Euros in 2008.
SierraTherm Production Furnaces, Inc. is headquartered in Watsonville, CA, USA and manufactures a wide variety of thermal processing and APCVD thin film deposition equipment for both the electronics industry as well as for solar cell production. SierraTherm was founded in 1992 and is a world leader in the design and manufacture of innovative, precisely controlled conveyor furnaces. Approximately 140 SierraTherm employees work at the headquarters in Watsonville, CA.
