ams AG acquires CMOSIS from TA Associates

Livingstone Düsseldorf’s Industrial sector team have advised the shareholders of ams (SIX: AMS), a leading worldwide provider of high-performance sensor and analog solutions, on the acquisition of CMOSIS from TA Associates for €220m ($241m). Founded in 2007, Antwerp-based CMOSIS operates as a fabless semiconductor supplier from locations in Belgium, Germany, Portugal, and the U.S. CMOSIS’s image sensors serve a broad range of high-end applications in diverse markets including machine vision, medical, broadcast, traffic, scientific and photographic imaging. In addition, CMOSIS offers the NanEye miniature camera module line for endoscopy-like medical applications, and recently won the German Innovation Award for Non-Clinical Intensive Care. CMOSIS’s projected revenues for 2015 are approx. €60m ($66m).

“Acquiring CMOSIS is a highly complementary expansion of our sensor portfolio and another major step in executing our sensor solutions growth strategy. This transaction extends our position of market leader in optical sensors, and will strengthen our position as the leading pure-play sensor solutions provider for growth markets including Industry 4.0, Internet of Things (‘IoT), and medical diagnostics. Integrating cameras with advanced optical sensors will drive new sensor solutions across vertical markets and accelerate our growth plans as we combine CMOSIS’ leading edge IP and design capabilities with our manufacturing competence and optical sensor strengths”, said Kirk Laney, CEO of ams.

“CMOSIS has built a leading position in some of the most challenging imaging applications based on our deep technology expertise in CMOS area and line scan image sensors. Our team is at the forefront of global shutter technology for high-end imaging, having up to more than 15 years of experience in this field. We are excited to join ams, creating a leader in advanced imaging solutions. ams’ technical and operational expertise will strengthen our own our own offering, and we will benefit from having access to potential new customers to realize our full growth potential”, adds Luc de Mey, CEO of CMOSIS.