Hillsboro Electron Microscope Company Sells for Billions

FEI Company, based in Hillsboro since its founding in 1971, had been sold to Massachusetts-based Thermo Fisher for $4.2 billion.

FEI is one of the leading manufacturers of electron microscopes in the world and employs more than 3,000 people around the world, according to their website.

The release did not address what would happen to the Hillsboro headquarters, which employs close to 500 people.

"In life sciences, there is growing adoption of electron microscopy to study the structure of proteins," said President and CEO of Thermo Fisher Scientific, Marc Casper.

"The technologies we gain with FEI will complement our mass spectrometry leadership, putting Thermo Fisher in the best position to capitalize on this important trend."

FEI's clients include scientific researchers, companies involved in environmental study, and tech companies.

The deal is expected to close early next year.

FEI Company is the latest Oregon company to be bought by a larger business from out of state.

In the past year, Dave's Killer Break, Little Big Burger, Planar Systems, NexPlanar, Knowledge Universe, and Precision Castparts were among those gobbled up.