Thermco Systems

What Thermco Systems does

Thermco Systems Limited is a privately-held UK manufacturer of semiconductor production equipment, headquartered in Washington, West Sussex, and operating as part of the Tetreon Group of Companies. The company designs and manufactures thermal processing systems (horizontal diffusion and LPCVD furnaces in the 2000, 5000, and 8000 series, plus X10/X60/X80 mini R&D furnaces), epitaxial reactors (EpiPro 5000/8000 acquired via CSD Epitaxy), wet processing systems (automated, semi-automated, and manual wet benches), chemical management and distribution units, and electronic materials management solutions. All production equipment is controlled by the proprietary PCMUX or TMX control systems, with the PCMUX incorporating a Reactive AI module for Statistical Process Control, predictive analytics, and anomaly detection on furnace parameters.

The business operates a diversified revenue model combining new equipment sales, spares and consumables, retrofit and upgrade solutions (including the TMX Gen II PCB and VTR6000EX/VTR7000EX upgrades for legacy SVG Thermco systems), pre-owned refurbished equipment, and field service including installation, on-site training, and decommissioning. Thermco sells globally through direct sales teams in the UK, US, and China and a network of international sales agents, serving 400+ customers across automotive, communications, consumer electronics, power, and data processing end-markets as well as R&D and academic institutions. The company is led by Chairman and CEO Gerry Thurgood, active in the semiconductor industry since 1974, and reports ISO 9001:2015 certification with CE-marked furnace products.

Name

Thermco Systems

Legal name

Thermco Systems Limited

Website

https://thermcosystems.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Thermco Systems Limited is a UK-based, privately-held manufacturer of semiconductor production equipment, designing diffusion and LPCVD furnaces, epitaxial reactors, wet benches, and chemical distribution systems sold globally to over 400 semiconductor and R&D customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Semiconductor Production Equipment

NAICS

Industrial Process Furnace and Oven Manufacturing (333994)

SIC

Industrial Process Furnaces & Ovens (3567)

akta.pro primary industry

Thermal Processing Equipment (Furnaces/RTP/Anneal) (HDAHAEAE)

Keywords

• Semiconductor production equipment
• Diffusion furnaces
• LPCVD systems
• Epitaxial reactors
• Wet processing equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Semiconductor Production Equipment Sales: Sale of new thermal processing systems including diffusion furnaces, LPCVD furnaces, wet processing systems, epitaxy reactors. Equipment can be designed bespoke to client needs.
2. Spares and Consumables: Comprehensive portfolio of consumable and non-consumable spare parts for diffusion furnaces, wet benches, and epi systems. Large inventory maintained for next day delivery to Europe, stock held in Chinese and US divisions.
3. Service, Support and Maintenance: Full-service support including product upgrades, refits, repairs, on-site training courses, process support. Service team provides installation, periodic service visits, on-site retrofits, decommissioning services.
4. Retrofit and Upgrade Solutions: TMX Gen II PCB upgrades for obsolescence issues, plug-and-play installation with improved performance and enhanced reliability. Equipment refurbishment to new equipment standards with latest safety and performance updates.
5. Pre-Owned Equipment: Inventory of used equipment re-configured to meet specific customer requirements. Refurbished to same standard as new equipment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Thermco Systems designs and manufactures semiconductor production equipment, including diffusion and LPCVD furnaces, epitaxial reactors, wet benches, and chemical management and distribution systems. The company's equipment is used by semiconductor manufacturers, research institutions, and universities worldwide for the production of integrated circuits, MEMS, power devices, LEDs, and photovoltaic cells. Thermco has installed more than 30,000 furnaces across 400+ customer sites globally.

Product overview

Thermco Systems is a market-leading manufacturer of Semiconductor Production Equipment (SPE) offering a comprehensive portfolio of thermal processing systems and wet chemistry solutions. The product portfolio centers on Diffusion & LPCVD Furnaces (2000, 5000, and 8000 series for production; X10/X60/X80 for R&D) controlled by the proprietary PCMUX/TMX control system with Reactive AI. This core furnace line is complemented by the EpiPro family of epitaxial reactors (5000/8000 series) acquired through CSD Epitaxy, comprehensive Wet Processing Systems including automated/manual wet benches, bell jar cleaners, and chemical management/distribution equipment, plus electronic materials management solutions. The company also provides spares, support services, and control system upgrades (VTR6000EX/VTR7000EX) for legacy vertical furnace systems. All products are designed and manufactured in the UK with global support through offices in the USA and China.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CSD Epitaxy: Silicon epitaxy reactors and deposition solutions, including EpiPro product line (EpiPro 5000, 8000 series)
• T-Clean
• Thermco Epitaxy
• Thermco SiC Technologies

Products and services

• Diffusion and LPCVD Furnaces Horizontal and vertical thermal processing furnaces used for oxidation, annealing, dopant diffusion, and low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) in semiconductor wafer fabs. Designed for high-volume production of ICs, MEMS, power devices, and photovoltaic substrates.
• Epitaxial Reactors Reactors used for epitaxial deposition of silicon and other semiconductor layers onto wafer substrates, supporting production of advanced logic, power, and discrete semiconductor devices.
• Wet Benches Wet processing stations used for wafer cleaning, etching, and surface preparation in semiconductor manufacturing processes.
• Chemical Management and Distribution Systems Systems that safely store, monitor, and deliver process chemicals to semiconductor fabrication tools, ensuring consistent chemical supply and safety compliance in wafer fab environments.
• Thermco Service and Support Aftermarket service, spare parts, retrofits, and technical support for Thermco's installed base of semiconductor production equipment worldwide.

Quantifiable outcome

• 66% reduction in power consumption
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Triple Cores TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Triple Cores Technology to develop collaborative abatement solution reducing environmental impact of semiconductor industry. Solution provides innovative abatement designs assuring customers of reliable systems with exceptional ROI. Supports Thermco's commitment to environmental improvement and NetZero goals.
• Bristol UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on semiconductor laboratory transformation. Thermco donated diffusion furnace with latest AI controls to Photonics Lab enabling students to make electronic devices. Project bridges academia and industry, providing training for future engineers. Students successfully produced first working wafer in March 2023.
• NMI (National Microelectronics Industry)minorOthersNMI established over 25 years ago to support semiconductor manufacturing companies and suppliers. Thermco is active member, sponsor of events, and CEO Gerry Thurgood serves as Chairman and Non-executive director working to drive the voice of the semiconductor industry.
• TU DublinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on Bristol University wafer processing project by sharing wafer recipes and expertise. Helped convince project was possible through demonstrated example.
• EdwardsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnabled university liaison role with Bristol University and SEMI collaboration. Supported semiconductor lab project development.
• SEMIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry trade body. Thermco is member company (SEMI member). SEMI helped originate Bristol University semiconductor lab concept during 2018 Talent Forum visit and actively supported its fruition.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Tokyo Electron (TEL): TEL is a global semiconductor equipment giant with historical joint venture (TEL/Thermco, 1971) and direct product overlap in diffusion/LPCVD furnaces. Operates at much larger scale across the full SPE spectrum.
• Veeco Instruments: Veeco is a US-based semiconductor process equipment maker with deposition and epitaxy product lines that overlap with Thermco's EpiPro epitaxial reactor portfolio, serving similar compound semiconductor and silicon wafer customers.
• Applied Materials: Applied Materials is the largest SPE incumbent globally, offering thermal processing systems that compete in the same fabs Thermco serves. Its full-portfolio scale and R&D budget dwarf niche players like Thermco.
• Lam Research: Lam Research is a major SPE incumbent with overlapping thermal/deposition product lines serving the same global semiconductor fab customer base as Thermco.

Regional players

• NAURA Technology Group: NAURA is a major Chinese semiconductor equipment manufacturer with thermal processing and wet bench product lines that compete regionally with Thermco's China operations (Protemp China subsidiary).

Direct peers

• AIXTRON: AIXTRON is a German deposition equipment specialist (MOCVD/CVD) serving semiconductor and LED markets. Comparable niche SPE positioning and similar European manufacturing base to Thermco.
• ASM International: ASMI is a Dutch-headquartered semiconductor equipment manufacturer specializing in deposition (CVD, epitaxy, PECVD) - directly overlapping with Thermco's LPCVD furnace and epitaxy reactor lines. Similar niche-specialist positioning with comparable customer base of global fabs.
• Amtech Systems: Amtech manufactures thermal processing equipment (diffusion furnaces) for semiconductor and solar applications, competing head-to-head with Thermco in horizontal diffusion furnaces serving similar fab customers.
• ACM Research: ACM Research specializes in semiconductor cleaning equipment (wet processing), directly competing with Thermco's T-Clean Division wet bench product line for similar fab customers globally.
• centrotherm international: centrotherm is a German manufacturer of thermal processing equipment for semiconductor and photovoltaic industries, with comparable product portfolio of diffusion/CVD furnaces serving similar global fab customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thermcosystems

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Thermco Systems