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PA Company Buys Athens-Based Sunpower

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A company based in Pennsylvania is the new owner of Sunpower Incorporated of Athens.

Ametek Incorporated announced its purchase in a news release but did not reveal the price.

Ametek makes electronic instruments and electromechanical devices and has annual sales of $3.4 billion.

Sunpower manufactures super-cold freezers and other devices using the free-piston Stirling engine, which was invented by company founder William Beale.

Sunpower started in Athens about 40 years ago and has grown to have a payroll of nearly 100.

It doubled in size over the past four years and opened a new $3 million facility in 2011.

Jim McKinley, a spokesman for Ametek, says the company only just acquired Sunpower and does not discuss operational plans with the businesses they purchase.

"At this time, we have no other plans than to operate it," said McKinley.

McKinley said Ametek executives see the Sunpower purchase as a great opportunity to expand and feel it is a "great fit", but did not elaborate further on plans for the Athens-plant.