FEI Company
FEI Company designs and manufactures high-resolution electron microscopes (SEM, TEM, FIB-SEM) and supporting software, serving materials science, life sciences, and semiconductor researchers and manufacturers globally; acquired by Thermo Fisher Scientific in 2016.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1971
- HeadquartersOregon, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What FEI Company does
FEI Company, founded in 1971 and headquartered in Oregon, US, designs, manufactures, and services high-resolution electron microscopy instruments and supporting workflows for nanoscale imaging and characterization. Its product portfolio spans Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEM), desktop SEMs, Transmission Electron Microscopes (TEM), Focused Ion Beam-SEM (FIB-SEM) platforms, XPS surface analysis instruments, electrical failure analysis systems, circuit edit tools, sample preparation equipment, and imaging and analysis software. The technology uses focused electron beams to visualize specimens from microns down to molecular and atomic levels, linking composition, structure, and performance for materials science, life sciences, and semiconductor applications.
The company operates an enterprise direct-sales model with global NanoPort demonstration and training facilities, selling high-value capital equipment through custom quotes to research institutions, semiconductor manufacturers, and industrial clients. Revenue is generated through instrument sales, recurring service and support contracts, training and consultation, and funding-support services. FEI was listed on NASDAQ under FEIC and, following its 2016 acquisition by Thermo Fisher Scientific, now operates as part of Thermo Fisher's electron microscopy business alongside complementary acquisitions including TILL Photonics (2011), ASPEX (2012), Visualization Sciences Group (2012), KonTEM (2014), and DCG Systems (2015). Leadership at the time of independent operation included CEO Don R. Kania and Director Gerhard H. Parker.
FEI Company firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- FEI Company
- Website
- https://fei.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1971
- Operating status
- Unknown
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- FEI Company designs and manufactures high-resolution electron microscopes (SEM, TEM, FIB-SEM) and supporting software, serving materials science, life sciences, and semiconductor researchers and manufacturers globally; acquired by Thermo Fisher Scientific in 2016.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
FEI Company industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Electron Microscopy Instruments
- NAICS
- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515), Semiconductor Machinery Manufacturing (333242)
- SIC
- Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Microscopy, Imaging & Flow Cytometry Instruments (HLAGAIAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Mass Spectrometry & Spectroscopy Instruments (HLAGAIAB), Test, Probe & Burn-In Equipment (Wafer Sort/Final Test) (HDAHAEAJ)
Keywords
Where FEI Company is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oregon
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
FEI Company business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Electron Microscopy Instruments: Sale of electron microscopy instruments including SEMs, TEMs, FIB-SEM systems, desktop SEMs, and related equipment with associated software and accessories.
- Instrument Services and Support: Worldwide service teams providing rapid, reliable support including troubleshooting, preventative care, and maintenance services to ensure peak instrument performance.
- Training and Consultation: Training services and expert support through NanoPort Facilities offering workshops, live instrument demos, and collaborative learning opportunities.
- Funding Support Services: Proposal writing resources, funding opportunities, financial guidance, and technical materials for research funding acquisition.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
FEI Company product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FEI Company designs, manufactures, and sells electron microscopy instruments and related analytical tools for nanoscale imaging and characterization. Its product portfolio includes Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEMs), Transmission Electron Microscopes (TEMs), Focused Ion Beam-SEM (FIB-SEM) systems, XPS instruments, electrical failure analysis systems, circuit edit systems, sample preparation equipment, and imaging and analysis software. The instruments support materials science research, life sciences research, and semiconductor manufacturing analysis.
Product overview
Thermo Fisher Scientific (including the former FEI Company, acquired in 2016) offers a comprehensive portfolio of electron microscopy products organized as a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core product line includes Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEM), Desktop SEM, Transmission Electron Microscopes (TEM), and Focused Ion Beam-SEM (FIB-SEM) instruments. Supporting these are specialized systems for XPS analysis, electrical failure analysis, and circuit edit applications. The portfolio includes sample preparation equipment, imaging and analysis software, and upgrades/accessories. Service offerings include NanoPort facilities worldwide providing hands-on training, demos, and support. The products serve three primary application domains: materials science research, life sciences research, and semiconductor manufacturing analysis.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEM) Instruments that scan a focused beam of electrons across a specimen surface to reveal surface topography, contrast, and compositional information; used by materials scientists, life sciences researchers, and semiconductor manufacturers.
- Desktop Scanning Electron Microscopes Compact SEM instruments designed for benchtop use, providing high-resolution imaging capabilities in a smaller footprint for quality control and routine analysis.
- Transmission Electron Microscopes (TEM) Instruments that transmit a beam of electrons through thin specimens to image internal structures, atomic arrangements, and crystal structures at high resolution; used in advanced materials and life sciences research.
- Focused Ion Beam-SEM Instruments (FIB-SEM) Combined systems integrating focused ion beam and SEM capabilities for precise material modification and high-resolution imaging in a single platform; used for semiconductor failure analysis and 3D materials characterization.
- XPS Instruments X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy instruments for surface chemical analysis and elemental composition determination.
- Electrical Failure Analysis Systems Specialized systems for identifying and analyzing electrical failures in semiconductor devices and electronic components; used by semiconductor manufacturers for defect characterization.
- Circuit Edit Systems Precision tools for targeted circuit modifications during semiconductor device development and debugging.
- Sample Preparation Equipment for Electron Microscopy Equipment and tools for preparing specimens for electron microscopy analysis, including ion beam milling and other preparation techniques.
- Imaging and Analysis Software Advanced software solutions for electron microscopy image capture, processing, analysis, and 3D visualization.
- Upgrades and Accessories Enhancement components and optional accessories to extend the capabilities of electron microscopy systems.
- NanoPort Electron Microscopy Facilities Worldwide centers of excellence offering hands-on access to electron microscopy technology, expert-led workshops, live instrument demos, and collaborative learning opportunities for researchers and industry customers.
Companies that use FEI Company
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
FEI Company technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature9 records
FEI Company partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- NioncoreIn January 2024, Bruker Corporation (a U.S.-based scientific instruments company) acquired Nion to strengthen its electron microscopy capabilities and expand its product lineup in the scientific instrumentation sector. This represents consolidation in the electron microscopy market.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
FEI Company competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bruker Corporation: U.S. scientific instrument company that acquired Nion in January 2024 to strengthen its electron microscopy portfolio. Competes with FEI in advanced EM and adjacent spectroscopy tools serving materials and life sciences research.
- Carl Zeiss Microscopy: German optics and microscopy leader offering high-end SEM, TEM, and X-ray microscopy systems. Competes directly with FEI in materials science and life sciences research instrumentation, including the rapidly growing cryo-EM segment.
- JEOL Ltd. Japanese scientific instrument manufacturer and a leading global producer of electron microscopes (SEM and TEM). Directly competes with FEI across materials science, life sciences, and semiconductor analysis customer segments.
- TESCAN: Czech manufacturer of SEM, FIB-SEM, and micro-CT instruments with a strong focus on materials science and nanotechnology applications. Competes with FEI in the mid-to-high end of the SEM and dual-beam market.
- Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation: Manufactures electron microscopes and semiconductor metrology/inspection equipment. Listed alongside FEI as a leading player in the electron microscopy market with overlapping TEM, SEM, and FIB-SEM offerings.
- Oxford Instruments: Provider of scientific instruments including electron microscopy components and related nanotechnology tools. Competes with FEI in materials characterization and nano-fabrication research applications.
Emerging players
- Delong Instruments: Czech-based manufacturer of TEMs and electron optical instruments with growing presence in life sciences and materials research. A smaller, focused emerging player that competes with FEI in selected TEM and EM segments.
Broad incumbents
- Leica Microsystems: Danaher-owned microscopy and life sciences imaging company with strength in optical microscopy and sample preparation for EM. Adjacent competitor to FEI in life sciences imaging workflows, including cryo-EM specimen preparation.
- Agilent Technologies: Diversified analytical instrument and life sciences company with adjacent mass spectrometry, spectroscopy, and lab measurement offerings. Competes with Thermo Fisher/FEI in serving shared analytical lab customers and applications.
- Thermo Fisher Scientific: Parent company of FEI since 2016 and a broad life sciences and analytical instruments leader. Owns the FEI electron microscopy franchise and competes with JEOL, Zeiss, and Bruker across the same end markets at the corporate level.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
FEI Company social profiles
Digital presenceFEI Company financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
FEI Company leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
FEI Company funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
FEI Company M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A5 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about FEI Company
What does FEI Company do?
FEI Company designs, manufactures, and sells electron microscopy instruments and related analytical tools for nanoscale imaging and characterization. Its product portfolio includes Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEMs), Transmission Electron Microscopes (TEMs), Focused Ion Beam-SEM (FIB-SEM) systems, XPS instruments, electrical failure analysis systems, circuit edit systems, sample preparation equipment, and imaging and analysis software. The instruments support materials science research, life sciences research, and semiconductor manufacturing analysis.
Is FEI Company a public or private company?
FEI Company is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently unknown.
When was FEI Company founded?
FEI Company was founded in 1971. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is FEI Company based?
FEI Company is headquartered in Oregon, United States, in the North America region.
How does FEI Company make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Electron Microscopy Instruments are the primary driver. The others are instrument Services and Support, training and Consultation and funding Support Services.
Who are FEI Company's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bruker Corporation, Carl Zeiss Microscopy, JEOL Ltd., TESCAN, Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation and Oxford Instruments. Delong Instruments is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Leica Microsystems, Agilent Technologies and Thermo Fisher Scientific.
Does FEI Company have an API?
No public API is recorded for FEI Company.
What industry is FEI Company in?
FEI Company's product category is Electron Microscopy Instruments. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGAIAE, Microscopy, Imaging & Flow Cytometry Instruments, with a secondary code of HLAGAIAB, Mass Spectrometry & Spectroscopy Instruments. Its NAICS code is 334516 and its SIC code is 3826.