VAT Group AG

What VAT Group AG does

VAT Group AG is a Swiss-headquartered (Haag/Sennwald, Switzerland) industrial equipment manufacturer founded in 1965 and publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ticker CH0311864901; OTCMKTS: VACNY). It is the global leader in high-performance vacuum valves, producing a catalog of more than 16 specialized valve types — including ultra-high vacuum (UHV) gate valves, pendulum valves, transfer valves, all-metal valves, slit valves, butterfly valves, and pressure-relief valves — alongside complementary components (flange connections, motion components, edge-welded bellows, vacuum modules). Its products are essential sub-components inside semiconductor wafer-fabrication equipment (process control/isolation, substrate transfer, sub-fab), display manufacturing tools (dry etching, sputtering, OLED evaporation, CVD), scientific instruments (mass spectrometry, particle physics), and industrial processes (vacuum furnaces, battery production, crystal growth, sterilization).

The company's technology centers on sealing integrity, particle control, and cycle-life performance under ultra-high vacuum conditions, validated by reference deployments at CERN's Large Hadron Collider and the LIGO India gravitational-wave detector. VAT monetizes primarily through direct hardware sales to semiconductor OEMs and chip fabs via an enterprise field-sales motion, supplemented by an aftermarket services portfolio (spare parts, standard repair, fixed-price refurbishment, upgrade/retrofit solutions) delivered through a global service-center network. FY2025 revenue reached CHF 1.074 billion (+14% YoY) with a 30.0% EBITDA margin, CHF 214.3 million of net profit, CHF 230.4 million of free cash flow, and a 32% direct China revenue exposure that expands to an estimated 45-50% when indirect channels are included.

Name

VAT Group AG

Legal name

VAT Group AG

Website

https://vatvalve.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

VAT Group AG is a Swiss publicly traded global leader in high-performance vacuum valves and components, supplying semiconductor OEMs, chip fabs, display manufacturers, and research institutions with ultra-high vacuum gate, pendulum, transfer, and isolation valves plus aftermarket services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vacuum Valves and Vacuum Components

NAICS

Fluid Power Valve and Hose Fitting Manufacturing (332912), Pump and Compressor Manufacturing (33391)

SIC

Electronic Components, Nec (3679)

akta.pro primary industry

Vacuum Systems & Components (Vacuum Pumps, Ejectors, Cups, Grippers) (IMAHAGAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Vacuum Pumps & Systems (IMAHANAD)

Keywords

• Vacuum valve manufacturing
• Semiconductor equipment components
• Ultra-high vacuum systems
• Industrial vacuum solutions
• Vacuum isolation valves

Headquarters

HQ city

Sennwald

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Vacuum Valve Sales: Primary revenue from manufacturing and selling high-performance vacuum valves and systems to semiconductor equipment manufacturers and chip fabs. Product portfolio includes gate valves, control valves, isolation valves, transfer valves, and specialized vacuum components. Revenue is hardware-based with long sales cycles and high order values per customer.
2. Global Services: Service segment including spare parts, standard repair service, fixed price refurbishment, and upgrade/retrofit solutions. This segment grew 19% year-over-year, indicating strong recurring service revenue from the installed base of vacuum valves in customer facilities.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

VAT Group AG manufactures and sells high-performance vacuum valves and integrated vacuum systems used by semiconductor equipment makers, chip fabs, display manufacturers, scientific research facilities, and industrial customers. Its offering spans ultra-high vacuum gate valves, control valves, isolation valves, transfer valves, pendulum valves, all-metal valves, and multi-valve units, supported by flange connections, motion components, bellows, vacuum modules, and aftermarket services (spare parts, repair, refurbishment, upgrades).

Product overview

VAT Group AG is a global leader in high-performance vacuum valves and vacuum systems, providing essential components for semiconductor manufacturing, display production, scientific instruments, and industrial applications. The product portfolio centers on a comprehensive range of vacuum valve types (over 16 categories including gate valves, pendulum valves, transfer valves, butterfly valves, and all-metal valves) complemented by supporting components (flange connections, motion components, bellows, vacuum modules) and lifecycle services (spare parts, repair, refurbishment, upgrades). The company's solutions serve specific industry verticals including semiconductor production (process control, substrate transfer, sub-fab systems), display manufacturing (OLED, CVD, etching), scientific/research applications (CERN, LIGO), medical/pharmaceutical (freeze drying, sterilization), and industrial applications (vacuum furnaces, battery production, crystal growth). VAT operates as both a component manufacturer and solution provider, offering both standardized products and customized configurations for specialized applications like ITER fusion research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Vacuum Control Valves High-performance vacuum control valves for precise pressure and flow regulation in semiconductor manufacturing and industrial applications.
• Vacuum Isolation Valves Vacuum isolation valves designed to provide reliable isolation between different process chambers and system sections in vacuum environments.
• Vacuum Gate Valves Gate valves for high-vacuum applications providing robust isolation and minimal particle generation in semiconductor fabrication equipment.
• Vacuum Angle / Inline / Cylinder Valves Angle, inline, and cylinder valve configurations for various vacuum system requirements in manufacturing processes.
• Vacuum Butterfly Valves Butterfly-style vacuum valves for efficient isolation and flow control in vacuum systems.
• Vacuum Pendulum Valves Pendulum valves featuring swing-style sealing mechanism for high-cycle applications in semiconductor process equipment.
• Pressure Relief / Venting Valves Safety valves for pressure relief and controlled venting in vacuum systems.
• Gas Dosing / Leak Valves Precision gas dosing and leak valves for controlled gas introduction and leak testing in vacuum environments.
• 3 Position Vacuum Valves Multi-position vacuum valves offering three distinct operating positions for complex vacuum system configurations.
• Vacuum Check Valves Check valves allowing unidirectional gas flow while preventing backflow in vacuum systems.
• Fast Closing / Beam Stopper Valves High-speed fast closing valves and beam stopper valves for rapid isolation and protection in semiconductor processing equipment.
• Vacuum All-Metal Valves All-metal construction vacuum valves designed for ultra-high vacuum applications requiring minimal outgassing and maximum cleanliness.
• Vacuum Transfer Valves Transfer valves enabling controlled material transfer between vacuum chambers while maintaining system integrity.
• Vacuum Transfer Doors Transfer doors for secure substrate and wafer handling between vacuum environments.
• Vacuum Multi-Valve Units Integrated multi-valve units combining multiple valve functions in a single compact assembly for optimized system design.
• ITER Valve Catalog Specialized valve catalog for ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) project requirements.
• Flange Connections Vacuum-compatible flange connections and sealing solutions for leak-tight system integration.
• Motion Components Precision motion components for vacuum applications including actuators and movement mechanisms.
• Edge-Welded Bellows Edge-welded bellows for flexible vacuum connections and thermal expansion compensation.
• Vacuum Modules Pre-assembled vacuum modules combining valves and components for specific process applications.
• Spare Parts Original spare parts for VAT vacuum valves ensuring optimal performance and longevity.
• Fixed Price Refurbishment Cost-predictable valve refurbishment service with fixed pricing for restored performance.
• Standard Repair Service Professional repair services for VAT vacuum valves to restore operational specifications.
• Upgrades and Retrofits Upgrade and retrofit solutions to enhance existing vacuum valve performance and extend product lifecycle.
• VAT Service Centers Global network of VAT service centers providing maintenance, repair, and support worldwide.

Quantifiable outcome

• FY2025 revenue of CHF 1.074 billion, up 14% year-over-year
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• CERNflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerVAT has a long-term collaboration with CERN, the largest particle physics laboratory in the world. Sector valves developed by a dedicated VAT team help maintain ultra-high vacuum (UHV) conditions within CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC), essential for particle physics experiments.
• LIGO IndiaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe new LIGO India detector, part of a network studying gravitational waves, relies on VAT technology to create one of the largest vacuum systems in the world. VAT provides specialized vacuum solutions for this advanced scientific instrument.
• TOFWERKcoreTechnology or IntegrationTOFWERK and VAT have maintained a productive development cooperation for more than a decade. VAT vacuum valve technology supports TOFWERK's time-of-flight mass spectrometers, which require precise vacuum conditions for high-sensitivity precision measurements.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• MKS Instruments: US-based provider of instruments, subsystems, and process control solutions for semiconductor and industrial markets including vacuum and pressure measurement. Larger, diversified player with overlapping customer base to VAT among global chip fabs.
• Shimadzu Corporation: Japanese diversified scientific instrument and industrial equipment manufacturer with vacuum and analytical systems for semiconductor and research applications. Serves similar scientific instruments and industrial vacuum customer segments as VAT.
• Entegris: US-based specialty materials and equipment supplier for the semiconductor industry, offering fluid handling, gas delivery, and contamination control solutions. Serves the same semiconductor OEMs and fabs as VAT, with complementary product portfolio in vacuum and gas systems.

Emerging players

• Brooks Automation: Provider of automation and vacuum solutions for semiconductor manufacturing including wafer handling and cryogenic equipment. Comparable in serving semiconductor fab customers with vacuum-adjacent technologies.

Direct peers

• Pfeiffer Vacuum Technology AG: German-headquartered vacuum technology specialist offering vacuum pumps, components, and systems for semiconductor and industrial applications. Closest direct competitor to VAT in the high-end vacuum equipment space serving similar semiconductor fab customers.
• INFICON Holding AG: Swiss-listed vacuum measurement, leak detection, and gas analysis specialist serving semiconductor, display, and industrial vacuum markets. Comparable geographic footprint and customer overlap with VAT in fab equipment applications.
• ULVAC Inc. Japanese manufacturer of vacuum equipment, components, and flat-panel display production systems serving semiconductor, display, and industrial markets. Direct peer competing with VAT for vacuum component contracts in Asia.
• Edwards Vacuum (Atlas Copco): Subsidiary of Atlas Copco providing vacuum and abatement solutions for semiconductor manufacturing and other industries. Direct competitor to VAT in vacuum components for fabs with overlapping customer base among global chip OEMs.
• CKD Corporation: Japanese manufacturer of pneumatic, vacuum, and automation components including vacuum valves for semiconductor and industrial applications. Comparable product portfolio and competitive overlap with VAT in Asian markets.

Others

• Tokyo Electron Limited (TEL): Major Japanese semiconductor production equipment manufacturer and key customer of VAT's vacuum valves. Listed here as a customer/ecosystem peer that drives demand for VAT's components within its deposition and etch platforms.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vat
• Xx.com/vatvalve

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about VAT Group AG