Aries Innovations, Inc. and Magnetic Recording Solutions, Inc. have reached a definitive merger agreement that facilitates better, more integrated test and automation solutions providing greater productivity for their customers

The newly formed corporation, temporarily operating under the name Aries/MRS, will combine their respective industry-leading automation and test capabilities to provide turn-key solutions to their customers in the hard drive, photonics and solar industries

The combined capabilities of Aries Innovations and Magnetic Recording Solutions (MRS) offer the disk drive industry integrated test and automation solutions required to address technology and cost challenges associated with the ultra-high volume production of magnetic recording media and disk drive components. MRS has demonstrated leadership in high-throughput magnetic testing of hard drive media while Aries Innovations has earned a reputation for ultimate automation performance.

"This merger is a key step in our overall strategy to become a leading provider of production automation and test equipment in the hard drive, photonics and solar industries," said Vlad Pogrebinsky, president and CEO of MRS. "Teaming up with Aries makes perfect sense given our similar market approach and respective reputations for offering leading performance solutions. Our collaborations in the past have demonstrated the benefits of our combined ability to help customers reduce their media testing costs while achieving higher yields."

"I am excited about the synergy this merger creates," said Jubin Kiaie, co-founder of Aries Innovations, "By combining the talents of both companies, we have formed an entity that is more powerful than the sum of its parts."

"Merging with MRS makes us more competitive in the market and allows us to build on our core talents in media testing while further developing our business in the photonics and solar industries," added Alex Dadiomov, also co-founder of Aries Innovations.

Aries Innovations and Magnetic Recording Systems have consolidated operations at the MRS headquarters facility at 1115 Space Park Drive, Santa Clara, California 95054. Until further notice, the entity will be informally referred to as Aries/MRS.

About Aries Innovations
Aries Innovations, a private corporation, is a pioneer in work cell automation for the disk drive industry. The principals have been involved in the industry since 1991 and have over 250 legacy systems installed world-wide. Automated, high speed Class 10 disk handling systems support both linear and carousel assisted work cell (CATC) configurations. Aries automation is highly regarded for its speed, flexibility of implementation, small footprint, high reliability and excellent customer support.

About Magnetic Recording Solutions
Magnetic Recording Solutions, Inc. is a private corporation founded in 1997. The company supplies equipment to test critical components used in the disk drive industry. MRS is the recognized technology leader in production media testers that offer not only leading defect sensitivity but also superior throughput performance suitable for high volume manufacturing environments. The company also makes production test equipment and modules for the semiconductor wafer inspection and photonics industries.