Unit Instruments in Yorba Linda to Benefit From Sale of AEG

A Pennsylvania-based holding company said Tuesday that it has sold one of its operating divisions in order to concentrate on Unit Instruments Inc. of Yorba Linda, the division that makes equipment for the semiconductor industry.

Autoclave Engineers Inc. in Erie said it has sold its AEG Division to Snap-Tite Inc. of Erie for $16.2 million.

Autoclave now plans to adopt the name of its sole remaining subsidiary, Unit, and move its headquarters to Yorba Linda. Proceeds from the AEG sale will be used to fund growth at Unit, which makes mass flow controllers used in the making of semiconductors. Michael J. Doyle, Unit’s chief executive officer, will become CEO of the combined company.

An Autoclave spokesman said that the AEG sale will not change the work force at Unit, which has more than 250 workers in Orange County and 384 worldwide.

“Unit is growing well, it is a good company and has a strong market share. The reason we are doing this is to provide the resources for its growth,” said A. Wade Blackman, a member of Autoclave’s board of directors, who was serving as company spokesman. “We want to position Unit to take advantage of the growth opportunities.”