David Savastano, Editor09.11.23
2023 has been an active year for the printed and flexible electronics business. In particular, the display segment has seen sizable moves, with Samsung Display acquiring eMagin, Japan Display acquiring JOLED and Shoei Chemical acquiring quantum dots leader Nanosys. In another huge move, CCL Industries acquired Imprint Energy, a piobneer in printed batteries.
Here are some of the key moves we are watching, beginning with the most recent; we will add to the list as new acquisitions are reported:
Here are some of the key moves we are watching, beginning with the most recent; we will add to the list as new acquisitions are reported:
Acquiring Company: ASSA ABLOY
Acquired Company: Evolis
Date of Acquisition: September 2023
Comments: ASSA ABLOY is a leader in the area of door openings and access solution products in homes, businesses and institutions. EVOLIS S.A. is a leading French manufacturer of ID card printers and consumables, which fits well in ASSA ABLOY's portfolio. The total amount paid for the acquisition, the offer and the squeeze-out, would amount to approximately €228.4 million.
Link to More Information:
ASSA ABLOY Acquires Evolis
ASSA ABLOY Acquires Evolis
Acquiring Company: Shoei Chemical
Acquired Company: Nanosys
Date of Acquisition: September 2023
Comments: Nanosys is the leading quantum dots producer globally. Shoei Chemical is a privately-owned electronic materials manufacturer, and has been producing Nanosys’ quantum dots. Shoei will continue to operate the Nanosys brand and its Silicon Valley-based R&D facility. Terms were not disclosed.
Acquiring Company: Samsung Display
Acquired Company: eMagin
Date of Acquisition: August 2023
Comments: Samsung Display is a global leader in the smartphone, TV and display segment, with OLEDs a key focus of its technology. eMagin designs and manufactures Active-Matrix OLED microdisplays (AMOLEDs) for high-resolution, AR/VR and other near-eye imaging products. The transaction is valued at approximately $218 million.
Acquiring Company: ADDiTEC
Acquired Company: Xerox Elem Additive Solutions
Date of Acquisition: August 2023
Comments: Xerox developed its liquid metal 3D printer, ElemX, with customers including Siemens, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Vertex Manufacturing. ADDiTEC will continue to support these customers as the Xerox Elem Additive team transitions to the organization. Terms were not disclosed.
Acquiring Company: CCL Industries
Acquired Company: Imprint Energy
Date of Acquisition: August 2023
Comments: Imprint Energy is a start-up technology company with proprietary technology for ultrathin, non-hazardous and non-toxic printed batteries for IoT devices, sensors and wearables. The transaction is valued at approximately $27 million. Dr. Christina Ho, the company's founder, wil be joining CCL, a leading global label printer who is heavily involved in RFID, having acquired Checkpoint Systems in 2016.
Acquiring Company: Universal Display
Acquired Company: Merck KGaA' s phosphorescent OLED emitter IP
Date of Acquisition: August 2023
Comments: Universal Display's wholly-owned subsidiary, UDC Ireland Limited, acquired the Phosphorescent OLED Emitter Intellectual Property (IP) assets of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. Representing more than 15 years of research and development, this portfolio includes more than 550 issued and pending patents around the world in 172 patent families. Terms were not disclosed.
Acquiring Company: Japan Display, Inc.
Acquired Company: JOLED
Date of Acquisition: June 2023
Comments: Japan Display, Inc. (JDI) acquired JOLED’s OLED display technologies and intellectual property rights, while providing employment to JOLED employees. JOLED has been printing displays using inkjet techniques. JDI made a cash payment of JPY 1 billion ($7.2 million) for the acquisition.
Link to More Information:
Japan Display Inc. Completes JOLED Acquisition
Japan Display Inc. Completes JOLED Acquisition
Acquiring Company: RAFI Group
Acquired Company: Xymox Technologies Inc.
Date of Acquisition: July 2023
Comments: Xymox Technologies is a leader in capacitive sensors and membrane switches, which fits well with RAFI Group's expertise in electro-mechanical components and electronic assemblies designed for human-machine communication. Terms were not disclosed.
Acquiring Company: First Solar
Acquired Company: Evolar AB
Date of Acquisition: May 2023
Comments: US-based First Solar is one of the world's largest producers of photovoltaics, and the largest using cadmium telluride technology. By adding Evolar AB, a European leader in perovskite technology, First Solar is looking at next generation PV technology while adds its first European R&D facility.The purchase price is approximately $38 million paid at closing and up to an additional $42 million to be paid subject to certain technical milestones being achieved in the future.
Acquiring Company: SRI International
Acquired Company: Xerox's Palo Alto Research Center (PARC)
Date of Acquisition: April 2023
Comments: Xerox's Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) is a legendary technology center, having been credited with numerous landmark development, including laser printersm, the Ethernet and the computer mouse. Xerox donated PARC to SRI International, another Silicon Valley technical giant.In addition, in June 2023, Xerox sold the Xerox Research Centre of Canda to Myant Capital Partners. Terms were not disclosed.
Link to More Information:
Xerox Announces Donation of PARC to SRI International
Myant Capital Partners Acquires Xerox Research Centre of Canada
Xerox Announces Donation of PARC to SRI International
Myant Capital Partners Acquires Xerox Research Centre of Canada
Acquiring Company: CCL Industries
Acquired Company: eAgile Inc.
Date of Acquisition: April 2023
Comments: A leader in the RFID field through its Checkpoint subsidiary, CCL Industries is the world's largets label printer. In April 2023, CCL acquired eAgile, an RFID inlay specialist headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI. eAgile is noted for ts efforts in the heathcare segment. The transaction is valued at $54 million, including an estimated $1 million net cash assumed with $7 million deferred for five years.
Acquiring Company: HID Global
Acquired Company: GuardRFID
Date of Acquisition: February 2023
Comments: HID, an RFID leader and subsidiary opf ASSA ABLOY, acquired GuardRFID, a leader in real-time location services (RTLS) hardware and software for healthcare, an important market for HID. This follows on HID's acquisition of Vizinex RFID in May 2022. Terms were not disclosed.
