<P> On June 27, 2001, Applied acquired Israeli company Oramir Semiconductor Equipment Ltd., a supplier of laser cleaning technologies for semiconductor wafers, in a purchase business combination for $21 million in cash . </P> <P> In January 2008, Applied Materials purchased an Italian company Baccini, a designer of tools used in manufacturing solar cells . </P> <P> In 2009, Applied Materials opened its Solar Technology Center--the world's largest commercial solar energy research and development facility in Xi'an, China . </P> <P> Applied Materials' acquisition of Semitool Inc. was completed in December 2009 . </P>

When did applied become the world’s largest semiconductor equipment supplier