The announcement follows the decision by ams to divest from the Near-Field Communication (NFC) and Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) reader segment to increase focus on its sensor solutions, while retaining sensing-related wireless activities and certain IP related with next generation sensing. STMicroelectronics acquired intellectual property, technologies, products and business which are considered highly complementary to its secure microcontroller solutions serving mobile devices, wearables, banking, identification, industrial, automotive and IoT markets.
The acquisition comprises NFC front-end and antenna boost solutions, and integrated HF/UHF RFID reader assets. The related design and marketing resources are mostly based in Premstaetten, Austria, and Ljubljana, Slovenia, and include around 50 employees which will be transferred to STMicroelectronics. The first NFC controller, leveraging the acquired assets, is already sampling to lead ST customers, as well as a new high-performance, highly-integrated System-in-Package solution which combines this NFC controller with ST’s secure element.
ST acquired the ams assets in exchange for an up-front cash consideration of USD 79.3m (approx. EUR 71.5m - funded with available cash) plus a substantial deferred earn-out consideration contingent on future results of up to USD 37 million. “The acquired assets, combined with ST’s secure microcontrollers, position ST for a significant growth opportunity, with a complete portfolio of best-in-class technologies, products and competencies that comprehensively address the full range of the NFC and RFID markets for a wide customer base,” the announcement says.
“Security and NFC connectivity are key prerequisites for the broad rollout of mobile and IoT devices anticipated in the coming years. This acquisition builds on our deep expertise in secure microcontrollers and gives ST all of the building blocks to create the next generation of highly- integrated secure NFC solutions for mobile and for a broad range of Internet of Things devices,” says Claude Dardanne, Executive Vice President and General Manager of STMicroelectronics’ Microcontroller and Digital ICs Group. “We welcome this highly competent team from ams into ST for the benefit of our customers.”
Alexander Everke, CEO of ams, commented on the transaction, “We are dedicated to actively managing our technology portfolio and focus on the most relevant opportunities driving our sensor solutions strategy forward. This transaction is a next strategic step on our way to make ams the world’s leading provider of sensor solutions for all major end markets.”
st.com | ams.com
