CoorsTek Inc., a large technical ceramics supplier and manufacturer of critical components for high-technology markets, announced the acquisition of Gaiser Tool Co., a high-quality ceramic precision tooling manufacturer based in Ventura, California with operations in Tokyo, Japan.

Established in 1962, Gaiser Tool Co. contributed significantly to the wire bonding technology required for rapid growth of the semiconductor packaging industry. In 1970, Gaiser revolutionized the wire-bonding process by inventing the first alumina ceramic capillary. In 1997, the company developed a superior process for ultra-fine-pitch bonding, named "Process1800," to produce bottleneck-style premium ceramic capillaries with exceptional strength and durability. Today, Gaiser Tool enjoys a reputation as a high-quality, extreme-precision tool supplier to the semiconductor and hybrid microelectronics industries.

CoorsTek plans to retain the Gaiser brand while infusing technical and material innovations to further enhance the company's high-quality market position. With precision ceramic tools capable of part dimensions as small as 2 μm, CoorsTek also expects to expand its micro-component capabilities for a variety of markets.

"Gaiser Tool invented the wire bonding ceramic tool market in the early 1970s and now leads the high end of it with quality and innovation," states Mark Petty, executive vice president of CoorsTek Inc. "We bring a significant level of technical ceramic expertise to this enterprise and expect customers and their industries to benefit substantially," he continues.