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Merit Investment Bank & Co. Advises Amtech Systems, Inc. in its Acquisition of Entrepix, Inc.

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Merit Investment Bank & Company a leading middle market investment bank serving clients globally, announced that it acted as advisor to Amtech Systems, Inc in its acquisition of Entrepix, Inc.

Amtech is a global supplier of semiconductor equipment and consumables to the power semiconductor industry and reported more than $100 million in Fiscal 2022 revenues.

“With the addition of Entrepix, Amtech now offers one of the industry’s broadest sets of substrates processing solutions, providing robust cross-selling opportunities across both Amtech’s and Entrepix’s respective customer bases. I believe Entrepix will provide a strategic benefit to Amtech, expand our market opportunity and accelerate our sales growth in the front-end wafer processing market globally, thereby creating meaningful value for our shareholders,” said Michael Whang, CEO of Amtech.

“Merit Investment Bank’s industry expertise and understanding of the M&A process helped Amtech achieve a great outcome. Their dedication over the course of the transaction was of tremendous value. The Merit Investment Bank team managed a great process and provided valuable counsel to Amtech throughout due diligence and negotiations”, concluded Whang.

David Wanetick, Managing Director of Merit Investment Bank, and deal lead, commented, “We are very pleased to have been involved in the combination of these two industry leaders. We look forward to continuing to facilitate transactions in the advanced technology industry.”

About Amtech Systems, Inc.

Amtech Systems, Inc. is a leading, global manufacturer of capital equipment, including thermal processing and wafer polishing, and related consumables used in fabricating semiconductor devices, such as silicon carbide (SiC) and silicon power, analog and discrete devices, and electronic assemblies and modules focusing on enabling technologies for electric vehicles (EV) and clean technology (CleanTech) applications. They sell these products to semiconductor device and module manufacturers worldwide, particularly in Asia, North America, and Europe. Their strategic focus is on semiconductor growth opportunities in power electronics, sensors, and analog devices leveraging their strength in core competencies in thermal and substrate processing. They are a market leader in the high-end power chip market (SiC substrates, 300mm horizontal thermal reactor, and electronic assemblies used in power, RF, and other advanced applications), developing and supplying essential equipment and consumables used in the semiconductor industry. Amtech’s products are recognized under the leading brand names BTU International, Bruce Technologies™, PR Hoffman™, and Intersurface Dynamics, Inc.

About Entrepix, Inc.

Entrepix, Inc. serves the semiconductor and related industries as a leading provider of chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) technology and services to IDMs, OEMs, MEMS, nanotechnology, and CMP consumables suppliers. The company renews technology for existing and emerging CMP users by refurbishing semiconductor equipment or adapting the equipment for use in novel applications such as airbag sensors and acoustic filters. As a technology renewal partner, Entrepix enables long-term, reliable, predictable, and cost-effective performance of CMP and cleaning equipment. Headquartered in Phoenix, Entrepix operates a 38,000 square foot facility housing its CMP foundry and equipment remanufacturing facilities.

About Merit Investment Bank

About Merit Investment Bank & Co. is a leading boutique investment bank focused on serving middle-market companies. Merit Investment Bank & Co. executes sell-side M&A, buy-side M&A, and capital advisory services with specific emphasis on the technology, software, consumer, business services, and manufacturing sectors. In addition, Merit Investment Bank & Co. offers other investment banking services such as debt and equity capital raises, restructuring advisory services, business valuations, and project financing through its subsidiary, Merit Investment Bank Securities, member FINRA / SIPC, a full-service Broker-Dealer licensed in 50 states.

1. Immediate Post-Closing Actions

  • Confirm Closing Deliverables: Verify wire transfers, escrow deposits, and payoff letters. Ensure all signed documents are stored and circulated appropriately.
  • Communications: Issue press releases and internal announcements. Host internal debriefs to clarify deal implications and next steps. Share FAQs to address employee and client concerns.

2. Financial & Tax Considerations

  • Tax Planning: Review capital gains implications and possible elections (e.g., 338(h)(10)). Optimize allocation of proceeds among trusts, estates, and investment vehicles.
  • Wealth Management: Establish an investment strategy for sale proceeds, factoring in liquidity, diversification, and risk tolerance. Revisit estate and philanthropic plans.

3. Operational Transition

  • Integration Roadmap: Define Day 1, Day 30, and Day 100 milestones. Align IT systems, compliance, and reporting frameworks.
  • Governance & Management: Clarify new reporting lines, identify key management for retention, and set up transition service agreements where necessary.

4. Employee Retention & Culture Integration

  • Retention Programs: Offer stay bonuses or performance incentives to key employees.
  • Culture Alignment: Host integration workshops to harmonize values and workflows between merging organizations. Use pulse surveys to monitor morale and engagement.

5. Customer & Partner Management

  • Customer Retention: Conduct proactive outreach to major clients to reassure them about service continuity. Offer transition incentives if needed.
  • Supplier & Partner Relations: Reaffirm contracts, introduce new leadership, and mitigate potential disruptions in the supply chain.

6. Legal & Compliance

  • Ongoing Obligations: Track escrow releases, earnouts, and indemnification timelines. Update registrations, licenses, and insurance policies.
  • Dispute Preparedness: Maintain a documentation log and standardized process for handling any post-closing disputes.

7. Long-Term Strategic Planning

  • For Sellers: Outline reinvestment strategies—whether in new ventures, passive investments, or philanthropic initiatives.
  • For Buyers: Execute synergy realization plans and monitor KPIs to measure integration success. Refine strategy as market conditions evolve.

8. Key Deliverables for Merit Investment Bank

  1. Post-Sale Communication Playbook – For employees, customers, and press.
  2. Tax & Wealth Planning Roadmap – Personalized for sellers.
  3. Integration Milestones Tracker – With Day 1/30/100 progress indicators.
  4. Retention & Culture Alignment Plan – Ensuring people continuity.
  5. Escrow & Earnout Monitoring Checklist – For legal and financial oversight.

Merit Investment Bank as a leading boutique investment bank is focused on entrepreneurial middle-market companies. Merit Investment Bank Executes sell-side M&A, buy-side M&A, and capital advisory services, debt and equity capital raises, corporate finance, and valuation services.

Securities offered through Finalis Securities LLC Member FINRA/SIPC. Merit Investment Bank and Finalis Securities LLC are separate, unaffiliated entities.

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