July 18, 2011 – GlobeNewswire via COMTEX — Maxim Integrated Products (MXIM) acquired SensorDynamics, an Austrian semiconductor company that develops proprietary sensor and microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices.
Maxim is paying approximately $130 million plus the assumption of approximately $34 million in debt to acquire SensorDynamics. Maxim reported revenue of approximately $2.0 billion for fiscal 2010.
MXIM will access SensorDynamics’ various MEMS sensor technology patents, along with developments in low-power interface and wireless connectivity solutions that enable MEMS devices. Maxim will parlay the acquisition into expanded automotive and high-end consumer electronics market share, where it has significant analog IC presence. While SensorDynamics currently focuses mainly on automotive sensors, Maxim expects the core MEMS technologies will transfer well to high-end consumer chips.
Automotive MEMS, which hit a record in 2010, are expected to bring in $2.1 billion in 2014. Auto and consumer MEMS were hit hardest by the recession, say some analysts. More information about new MEMS, for consumer and related apps, is available in iSuppli’s recent report, "New Killer Products Keep Consumer MEMS Bubbling."
Maxim will fuse many types of sensors with its analog technology, integrating sensing, analog processing, and low-power wireless connectivity, said Tunc Doluca, Maxim president and CEO, discussing the product possibilities post-acquisition. In the near term, SensorDynamics will focus on engineering for sensors and MEMS, tapping into MXIM’s manufacturing, distribution, and sales infrastructure for inertial sensor, wireless connectivity and sensor interface markets. Longer term, Maxim will address selected portions of the broader MEMS-based sensor market.
SensorDynamics has subsidiaries in Italy and Germany and is certified under ISO/TS 16949.
Check out Maxim’s webcast about the acquisition at http://www.maxim-ic.com/sd
Maxim Integrated Products is a publicly traded company that designs, manufactures, and sells high-performance semiconductor products. A Fortune 1000 company, Maxim is included in the Nasdaq 100, the Russell 1000, and the MSCI USA indices. For more information, go to www.Maxim-ic.com.
SensorDynamics is a semi-fabless semiconductor company that focuses on sensors for high-volume applications in automotive and high-end consumer sectors. SensorDynamics develops and supplies fail-safe micro and wireless semiconductor products for automotive and high-end consumer key accounts. The company acts as a general contractor with in-house MEMS production and cooperates closely with leading international technology partners. Learn more at www.SensorDynamics.cc