In order to support and guide the secondary market for semiconductor manufacturing equipment and related services on a global basis, industry association Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) announced today that it has acquired SEC/N, the Surplus Equipment Consortium Network for an undisclosed amount.

According to its website, the Arizona-based SEC/N organization was created in 1998 to "foster cooperation, fair and ethical business practices, and to develop and distribute standards and definitions specific to the secondary (semiconductor manufacturing equipment) market and its participants."

With the global secondary market of used and refurbished semiconductor equipment predicted to grow to more than $8 billion in 2009, this market will continue to have a significant impact on manufacturers of semiconductor equipment, buyers of secondary equipment and the global network of service, support and refurbishing companies that occupy this growing segment of the industry.

This move builds on a relationship the organizations already had: For several years, SEC/N and SEMI said they have worked together, sharing many common members and interests, and cooperating on seminars on the secondary market at many SEMI events.

Approximately 60% of SEC/N's current members are also SEMI members. Now, as one organization, the focus will entail resource consolidation and focused leadership, SEMI said.

"Because of the well established infrastructure at SEMI, we believe that the SEC/N vision to advance ethical business practices and to develop and promote standards for the secondary equipment market throughout the world is achievable. SEMI's global resources make it possible to reach a larger audience with information and educational programs, thereby providing an enhanced opportunity for achieving our goals," said Peter Page, president of R.B. High Tech Transport Inc. and former president of SEC/N's board of directors, in a statement.

"We are pleased to strengthen our focus on the secondary equipment market, and believe this important agreement will allow us to create greater efficiency and value for our membership. By utilizing SEMI resources, existing members of SEC/N will be able to better leverage their expertise to establish and maintain meaningful business partnerships on a global scale," concluded Stanley T. Myers, president and CEO of SEMI.

By Ann Steffora Mutschler, Senior Editor - Electronic News

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