BDA advised MKS Instruments on acquisition of Plasmart, a Korean plasma technology solution provider

BDA advised MKS Instruments on acquisition of Plasmart, a Korean plasma technology solution provider.

Business Development Asia LLC ("BDA") is pleased to announce that its client, MKS Instruments, Inc. (Nasdaq:MKSI), a global provider of technologies that enable advanced processes and improve productivity, acquired Plasmart, Inc. of Daejeon, Korea in a cash transaction closed on August 29th.

Plasmart develops radio frequency (RF) plasma generation and monitoring systems for the semiconductor, flat panel display, AMOLED and solar photovoltaic industries. Founded in 2000 by four KAIST PhD physicists, Plasmart designs and manufactures a full product suite of single, dual and triple frequency RF matches, RF generators, plasma monitoring systems and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) sources. Plasmart's innovative and highly respected engineers and scientists have enabled Plasmart to penetrate and win business with key customers. The company's expertise in RF systems and competitive successes were key drivers in the selection of Plasmart for acquisition.

Leo Berlinghieri, Chief Executive Officer and President, said, "The acquisition of Plasmart with its applications experience will strengthen and augment MKS' existing RF power capability, provide greater access to the important Korean market, and enhance our ability to serve our Asian customer base. Plasmart is a strategic acquisition offering multiple growth opportunities in the semiconductor market as well as other advanced and growing markets."

BDA served as the exclusive financial advisor to MKS.

BDA Deal Team
Charles Maynard, Senior Managing Director, Beijing
Heejun Yang, Managing Director, Seoul
Jay Shin, Senior Associate, Seoul
Eric Son, Senior Associate, Seoul
Nicky Kim, Analyst, Seoul

About MKS
MKS Instruments, Inc. is a global provider of instruments, subsystems and process control solutions that measure, control, power, monitor and analyze critical parameters of advanced manufacturing processes to improve process performance and productivity. MKS's products are derived from our core competencies in pressure measurement and control, materials delivery, gas composition analysis, control and information technology, power and reactive gas generation, and vacuum technology. The primary served markets are manufacturers of capital equipment for semiconductor devices, and for other thin film applications including flat panel displays, solar cells, light emitting diodes, data storage media, and other advanced coatings. MKS also leverages our technology in other markets with advanced manufacturing applications including medical equipment, pharmaceutical manufacturing, energy generation, and environmental monitoring.

About Plasmart
Plasmart develops radio frequency (RF) plasma generation and monitoring systems for the semiconductor, flat panel display, AMOLED and solar photovoltaic industries. Founded in 2000 by four KAIST PhD physicists, Plasmart, with approximately 65 employees, designs and manufactures a full product suite of single, dual and triple frequency RF matches, RF generators, plasma monitoring systems and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) sources. Plasmart's innovative and highly respected engineers and scientists have enabled Plasmart to penetrate and win business with key customers.

About BDA
Business Development Asia LLC ("BDA") is a leader in cross-border investment banking. BDA advises on M&A, capital raising, and restructuring. BDA has been consistently owned and managed by the same team since 1996, and has built a track record of providing independent advice to blue-chip corporate and financial sponsor clients from North America, Europe and Asia. BDA was named Investment Banking Firm of the Year by The M&A Advisor in December 2010. BDA is headquartered in New York with offices in London, Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Mumbai and Bahrain. For further information, please see www.bdallc.com.

For more information regarding this transaction, please contact Charles Maynard in Beijing on (86) 10 8535 0860 or Heejun Yang in Seoul on (82) 2 735 4220.