Effective April 15, 2000, Ruhrgas Industries GmbH, the parent company of Ipsen International, has expanded its Global Thermal Group portfolio with the strategic acquisition of Vacuum Furnace Systems (VFS), Souderton, PA. VFS will continue to utilize its current organizational structure in Pennsylvania, headed by President George Carter, and Ipsen will continue to sell, design, and manufacture its existing product offerings utilizing its current organizational structure headed by President Mario Ciampini.