Branford to auction Pallidus SiC wafer plant in Albany

The Branford Group and Heritage Global Partners will sell Pallidus’ complete silicon carbide wafer manufacturing operation in Albany, New York, through a timed online auction that opens Aug. 24 and closes Aug. 27. The asset package includes late-model semiconductor equipment tied to a $45 million original investment, with pre-auction offers already being accepted.

Why it matters: - The auction gives chipmakers and industrial buyers a chance to acquire a complete silicon carbide wafer production line in one transaction. - Silicon carbide capacity is strategically important for power electronics, EVs and other high-performance semiconductor applications. - The sale could shorten the time and capital needed to build or expand compound semiconductor manufacturing.

What happened: - The Branford Group, with Heritage Global Partners, will host a public auction selling Pallidus’ complete Class 10,000 silicon carbide wafer manufacturing operation in Albany, New York. - The auction will be conducted as a timed online sale. - Bidding opens Aug. 24 at 8:00 a.m. ET and begins closing Aug. 27 at 10:00 a.m. ET. - The sale is being conducted on behalf of secured parties.

The details: - The facility represents a $45 million original equipment investment. - The equipment base includes tools as new as 2024. - Featured assets include multiple Aymont SP-150 induction heated crystal growth furnaces with Mesta Electronics 50kW inverters. - Featured assets also include multiple CVD physical vapor transport crystal growth systems. - The auction list includes two Meyer Burger DW288S4 diamond wire cutting saws from 2021. - Other highlighted tools include a KLA Candela 8520 wafer inspection system from 2022. - The package includes a Rigaku TXRF3760 total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometer from 2023. - Also listed is a Corning Tropel UltraSort II flatmaster semi-automated wafer sorting system from 2022. - The equipment set includes GFS 3636 vertical and 2424 horizontal vacuum resistance furnaces with maximum temperatures of 2000 C and 1000 C. - Two GigaMat 3828-46 CMP polishers are part of the sale. - The asset list also includes a Lam Research OnTrak DSS200 Series 2 wafer cleaner. - The complete Class 10,000 clean room and its contents are included. - Tyler Gardner, Branford’s director of business development, said the line includes the full process flow for crystal growth, wire sawing, grinding, CMP, wet process and metrology. - Gardner said the package is being offered at a fraction of the cost and lead time of buying new. - Branford is entertaining pre-auction offers on all major pieces or equipment packages. - All equipment is available for immediate purchase upon agreement of terms. - Inspection and preview of the Albany facility is available by appointment only. - Interested buyers can contact Tyler Gardner at TGardner@thebranfordgroup.com or 203-500-2529. - Registration and more information are available through Branford’s website. - More information

Between the lines: - The auction format suggests a liquidation event rather than a standard operating-company sale. - A complete late-model SiC line is rare enough that buyers may value the site for both speed and equipment depth. - Pre-auction offers give bidders a path to secure individual assets or packages before the timed sale starts.

What's next: - Branford will accept inquiries and pre-auction offers ahead of the Aug. 24 opening. - Buyers can schedule an on-site inspection by appointment before the auction. - The timed online bidding period will begin Aug. 24 and close Aug. 27. - Successful bidders could take possession after terms are finalized.