SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY

Still Interested in Alpha: New York-based Alphabet Technologies, a holding company that is the largest shareholder of Alpha Microsystems in Santa Ana, is still interested in acquiring control of the business computer manufacturer.

Ulrich Herzog, Alphabet’s treasurer, said Monday that his company wants to gain control of Alpha Micro so it can use Alpha Micro’s existing distribution system to sell its computer products in the United States. But Herzog did not say how Alphabet would proceed.

“I don’t know what they plan to do,” said David Young, chief financial officer for Alpha Micro. “We consider them friendly at this point. However, we will protect all of our shareholders.”

In a July 11 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Alphabet, which is controlled by German businessmen Gisbert Fischer and Herzog, said it has acquired 24.2% of Alpha Micro’s stock.

The filing also says Alphabet seeks control of Alpha Micro’s board and its operations.

Alpha Micro has already appointed two Alphabet representatives to its seven-member board--Herzog and Richard Loeffler, a business acquaintance of Herzog. Herzog said Alphabet had asked for three board seats, but Alpha Micro denied that request based on the percentage of ownership, Young said.

“We don’t believe in hostilities,” Herzog said. “We would like to acquire more shares, but that would trigger some consequences that would be unfavorable.”

Young said that if an investor acquires more than 25% ownership of Alpha Micro stock, then the company’s landlord has the right to raise the company’s rent by 35%.