MKS Instruments, Inc. provides instruments, subsystems, and process control solutions that measure, control, power, monitor, and analyze critical parameters of advanced manufacturing processes to improve process performance and productivity. The company also provides services relating to the maintenance and repair of its products, software maintenance, installation services, and training. Segments The company’s segments are as follows: Advanced Manufacturing Capital Equipment, Analytical Solutions Group, Europe Region Sales & Service, and Asia Region Sales & Service. The Advanced Manufacturing Capital Equipment segment includes the development, manufacture, sales and servicing of instruments and control products, power and reactive gas products, materials delivery products and vacuum products, all of which are utilized in semiconductor processing and other similar advanced manufacturing processes. External sales of these products made in Europe or Asia are reported as sales in the Europe Region Sales & Service or Asia Region Sales & Service segments. The Analytical Solutions Group segment includes, gas composition analysis, information technology products and custom fabrication services. The Europe and Asia region sales and service segments mainly resell and service the Advanced Manufacturing Capital Equipment and Analytical Solutions Group products sold into their respective regions. Product Groups The company groups its products into four product groups, based upon the similarity of the product function, type of product and manufacturing processes. These four groups of products are: Instruments and Control Products, Power and Reactive Gas Products, Vacuum Products, and Analytical Solutions Group Products. Instruments and Control Products This product group includes pressure measurement and control, materials delivery and control products. Pressure Measurement and Control Products: Each of its pressure measurement and control product lines consists of products that are designed for various pressure ranges and accuracies. Baratron Pressure Measurement Products: These products are typically used to measure the pressure of the gases being distributed upstream of the process chambers, process chamber pressures and pressures between process chambers, vacuum pumps and exhaust lines. Automatic Pressure and Vacuum Control Products: These products enable precise control of process pressure by electronically actuating valves that control the flow of gases in and out of the process chamber to minimize the difference between desired and actual pressure in the chamber. In most cases, Baratron pressure measurement instruments provide the pressure input to the automatic pressure control device. Together, these components create an integrated automatic pressure control subsystem. The company’s pressure control products can also accept inputs from other measurement instruments, enabling the automatic control of gas input or exhaust based on parameters other than pressure. Materials Delivery Products: Each of its materials delivery product lines combines MKS flow, pressure measurement and control technologies to provide customers with integrated subsystems and precise control capabilities that are optimized for a given application. Flow Measurement and Control Products: Flow measurement products include gas and vapor flow measurement products based upon thermal conductivity, pressure and direct liquid injection technologies. The flow control products combine the flow measurement device with valve control elements based upon solenoid, piezo-electric and piston pump technologies. These products measure and automatically control the mass flow rate of gases and vapors into the process chamber. Control Products: The company designs and manufactures a suite of products that allow semiconductor and other manufacturing customers to control their processes through computer-controlled automation. These products include digital control network products, process chamber, system controllers and connectivity products. Digital control network products are used to connect sensors, actuators and subsyste