GT Advanced Technologies has undergone a number of changes since filing for chapter 11 bankruptcy two years ago, including the removal of its long-time CEO, the laying off of 40% of its workforce, and a stripping down of product lines.
And while news has been sparse from the New Hampshire-based equipment maker since it emerged from bankruptcy in March, the changes continue. Late yesterday GT announced that it appointed Greg Knight as CEO, effective three weeks ago, to replace Dave Keck.
Knight is a member of the GT board and has previously held leadership positions at the company as well as serving as the CEO of solar media and event company PV Tech Group.
A brief press statement from GT stresses the company’s plans for the solar industry. “The solar industry is at an inflection point, where significant cost-down opportunities have reached their limits and the market needs technologies that deliver ever greater efficiency,” read’s Knight’s statement.
“GT’s unique positioning in photovoltaics presents a number of exciting opportunities to work with our world-class roster of customers and partners to drive the necessary technical innovation in solar and to generate significant growth for the company.”
What is less clear is exactly which product lines GT plans to pursue. The company’s press release mentions “advanced technologies and processes for CZ ingot growth, advanced directional solidification platforms, as well as next-generation polysilicon and silane technologies”, all of which deal with the polysilicon and ingot casting space.
There is no mention of what has become of the company’s Hyperion Ion Implantation system or its Merlin cell interconnection technology. Additionally, the page for GT’s Merlin technology has been removed from its website.
pv magazine staff overheard rumors at the SNEC trade show in Shanghai in May that GT plans to sell Merlin, however the company has not responded to questions regarding its plans for the technology by press time.
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