austriamicrosystems, a designer and manufacturer of high-performance analogue ICs, has acquired the Texan manufacturer Texas Advanced Optoelectronic Solutions (TAOS).
The value of the deal is $320 million (approx. €226 million).
Headquartered in Unterpremstaetten, Austria, austriamicrosystems designs and manufactures high-performance analogue ICs (integrated circuits), with a focus on the areas of power management, sensors & sensor interfaces and mobile ‘infotainment’ for the consumer & communications, industry & medical and automotive markets.
The company operates worldwide with more than 1,100 employees.
TAOS is based in Plano, Texas. The company is a supplier of light sensing solutions to the global consumer electronics, computer, industrial, medical and automotive markets. TAOS supplies manufacturers with a display management solutions portfolio of ambient light sensors, proximity detection sensors and colour sensors for smartphones, tablets, HDTVs, laptop/notebooks and desktop/all-in-one (AIO) computers.
The companies said the agreement would bring together complementary leadership capabilities in the areas of analogue mixed-signal design, power management, intelligent sensors and sensor interfaces that are critical core competencies for developing future generations of advanced, intelligent or ‘smart’ wireless/wired sensor platforms.
Further synergies will be achieved by leveraging austriamicrosystems’ manufacturing and process technology to develop leading-edge SSoC (sensor systems-on-chip) solutions, the companies said.
TAOS already has an existing relationship with austriamicrosystems as a customer of the European company’s analogue foundry business.
John Heugle, CEO of austriamicrosystems, commented: "The acquisition of TAOS is a major step in bringing the company to the next level of growth and profitability and creating a strong platform to expand our position in the high performance analogue market. We welcome all TAOS employees and look forward to working with the talented team at TAOS on innovative sensor technologies for mobile devices leveraging both companies’ world-class sensor expertise.
“Together, we are in an excellent position to pursue the significant opportunities for advanced sensor solutions in growth markets such as smartphones and tablet PCs.”
Kirk Laney, CEO of TAOS, added: "Our display management and proximity detection solutions bring important advantages to increasingly sophisticated devices like the latest-generation of mobile devices. Intelligent sensors are quickly becoming core elements of mainstream consumer and communications devices and open new opportunities in emerging applications.
“We are excited to join forces with AMS leveraging the combined expertise and IP of both companies as an industry leader in advanced sensor platforms and solutions.”
