Japanese Hercules Corp

The proposed sale of Semi-Gas Systems of San Jose, a key supplier for U.S. semiconductor makers, to a Japanese competitor may be blocked despite a federal agency's recommendation that the transaction be allowed, opponents of the sale said Thursday. "I don't think it's a dead issue yet, and maybe there are a few reasons to be optimistic," said one executive of Semi-Gas, which makes gas delivery systems that are a critical part of the computer chip-making process.

The proposed sale of Semi-Gas Systems of San Jose, a key supplier for U.S. semiconductor makers, to a Japanese competitor may be blocked despite a federal agency's recommendation that the transaction be allowed, opponents of the sale said Thursday. "I don't think it's a dead issue yet, and maybe there are a few reasons to be optimistic," said one executive of Semi-Gas, which makes gas delivery systems that are a critical part of the computer chip-making process.