ASM Pacific to snap Siemens AG's assembly systems business

ASM, a semiconductor assembly and packaging equipment supplier, aims to explore opportunities in the SMT equipment business.

ASM Pacific Technology Limited (ASM) has proposed to acquire Siemens Electronics Assembly Systems (SEAS) Business from Siemens AG, according to an ASM report on Thursday.

ASM said its extensive sourcing network in Asia and its in-house capabilities could substantially improve SEAS’ cost structure. It also said it targets to help SEAS to explore further revenue opportunities; and expand its product offerings and customer base in the Asian region by drawing on ASM’s knowledge of the Asian markets and existing customer relationships.

Mr. Lee Wai Kwong, Chief Executive Officer of ASM, said, “ASM believes that the proposed acquisition represents an excellent combination of advanced technologies with vast experience and knowledge in cost-efficient manufacturing and marketing networks in Asia. The synergistic effects of combining the strengths of the two organizations will serve to push this new SMT business unit and the whole ASM Group to new heights.”

“With their regional focus areas, their global presence and their portfolio, ASM and SIPLACE complement each other very well. Working together will open the door to great strategic opportunities. In our development and customer service activities, we will continue to operate as before – but with a new partner who focuses its resources and its know-how to expanding its leading position in the electronics manufacturing industry worldwide. This deal will create more investment protection for our customers and create new opportunities for integrating previously separate processes, for example in chip assembly or LED production,” said Mr. Günter Lauber, CEO of the global SIPLACE team.

“Thanks to our successful restructuring as part of our SIPLACE Excellence program, ASM is able to acquire the SIPLACE team, the locations and our global cluster organization without having to make any changes. As a result, we will be able to fully concentrate on our operations and our customers,” Mr Lauber added.

Mr. Lee of ASM said, “The SMT industry is currently undergoing a strong cyclical recovery with solid long term growth prospects. SMT industry is a natural field of expansion for ASM and an area to achieve significant synergies given we have similar engineering, technical and production process characteristics compared to the semiconductor equipment industry. This move will provide ASM with significant growth opportunities and a chance to replicate our success in the assembly and packaging equipment business in the SMT equipment business.”