Bruker AXS Buys XRF Biz

Bruker AXS Inc. announced today that it bought privately-held KeyMaster Technologies Inc., a maker of hand-held x-ray fluorescence (XRF) systems. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Bruker AXS, a division of Bruker BioSciences Corp. that makes life science, materials research and industrial x-ray analysis tools, bought the company from its majority shareholder, the private equity firm Advent International, and other shareholders. The agreement was signed and the transaction closed simultaneously on Tuesday, Bruker AXS said.

The KeyMaster Technologies TRACeR III-V portable x-ray fluorescence analyzer (Photo: Business Wire)

KeyMaster Technologies makes hand-held XRF systems for applications including art, museum and archaeological analysis; biochemical analysis; brand protection; quality control and security. The hand-held XRF market has been the fastest-growing segment in x-ray analysis in recent years, with an estimated total market size of $90 million in 2005, Bruker AXS said.

KeyMaster is now a Bruker AXS subsidiary and will remain in its Kennewick, Wash., location under its current name and management team, Bruker AXS said. For more information, visit: www.bruker-axs.de