VILLACH, Austria--(BUSINESS WIRE)--At the end of June, Mechatronic Systemtechnik, provider of thin-wafer handling systems, was successfully certified in accordance with environment standard ISO 14001. Back in 2002, the company based in the Austrian state of Carinthia already became certified in accordance with quality standard ISO 9001. Sales rose by over 100 percent in the first semester of 2010.

ISO 14001 is a strict international standard which sets forth globally recognized environment-management requirements. Certification pursuant to said standard was a prerequisite for the participation of two FIDURA Private Equity Fonds in the company in October 2008. A further motivation to introduce an environment-management system was to reduce environment-liability risks and harness cost-reduction potential.

As was the case for the quality-management system, the new certification was granted by Swiss-based company SGS, a global leader accredited and supervised by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs.

"This certification means that we sustainably guarantee the environmental compatibility of our products and processes as well as our staff's economical and responsible use of energy and materials", declared Walter Schober, CEO of Mechatronic Systemtechnik GmbH.

"As with all our holding companies, we are also ensuring that Mechatronic Systemtechnik implements our sustainable investment policy rigorously. We are delighted that another company from our portfolio has fulfilled the certification body's stringent requirements", stated Klaus Ragotzky, Managing Director of the Munich-based issuing house FIDURA Capital Consult GmbH.

Excellent start to the new financial year

The first semester of 2010 marked the company's best result to date. In fact, the Villach-based firm employing around 50 staff increased its sales by over 100 percent. This was mainly due to the strong demand for thin-wafer handling devices, particularly from key accounts such as Infineon or Nikon, not to mention numerous orders from new customers.

About Mechatronic Systemtechnik GmbH

Mechatronic Systemtechnik, with its headquarters in Villach, Austria, has been developing, manufacturing and marketing special machines for the semiconductor industry since 1998. The company boasts a globally unique product portfolio for handling silicone thin wafers. These wafers made of semiconductor material are mainly used in the ever-expanding market of entertainment electronics, such as in cell phones, MP3 players, digital cameras or camcorders. With its patented thin-wafer handling systems, Mechatronic Systemtechnik enjoys a clear unique selling point. The company is the exclusive user of the patent for end-effectors based on Bernoulli vacuum technology, developed in collaboration with Infineon Technologies AG. This represents a technological advance of at least six years. Customers include leading international firms such as Infineon, NXP, Nikon, ASE and STATS ChipPAC. Mechatronic Systemtechnik has been a holding company of FIDURA Private Equity Fonds since October 2008.

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