DEK to be acquired by ASM Pacific Technology
Printing technology company DEK has announced that ASM Pacific Technology (ASM PT) entered into an agreement to acquire DEK. ASM PT is the world's leading supplier of equipment for the electronics manufacturing industry and is traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
If the transaction proceeds, DEK, with all its employees, locations and full management team, will be integrated into ASM Assembly Systems SMT business segment. ASM PT established this segment in 2011 following its acquisition of the SIPLACE SMT placement machine business. As a team, the SMT business segment will develop innovative technology solutions that align the printing and placement processes "“ two of the most critical components of electronics manufacturing "“ for even greater quality and efficiency.
DEK has pioneered numerous printing technologies including the market's first automatic screen printer, enclosed head printing technology ProFlow, leading frameless stencil technology VectorGuard, and the highest throughput solar metallization lines, among others. The change in ownership represents an exciting chapter in the company's history, enabling continued advanced technology development efforts and ongoing value-driven market leadership.
"This next step in DEK's development is very positive for our entire organization. While protecting the future of the DEK team, the new ownership also opens countless opportunities for integrated SMT technology development to further advance electronics production capabilities," said DEK CEO, Michael Brianda. "During DEK's over 40 years in the electronics industry, we have helped revolutionize electronics manufacturing processes, innovated printing systems and techniques and call many of the world's top electronics and alternative energy companies our customers. With the support of ASM PT, a global electronics leader that understands the dynamics of the markets DEK serves, we firmly believe this new ownership will enable even greater future success for DEK and our customers".
Through this acquisition, ASM PT effectively advances its growth strategy to become the equipment supplier for the complete electronics supply chain, adding to its strong position in backend equipment solutions and, more recently, its expansion into the placement equipment market with the addition of the SIPLACE machine business. The DEK team will be integrated into ASM AS SMT business as its "Pre-Placement" division and will be led by Michael Brianda, the current CEO of DEK. SIPLACE team COO, Guenter Schindler, will assume management of the "Placement" division from Guenter Lauber, who will become CEO of the expanded SMT business segment.
"We extend a warm welcome to the DEK team," said WK Lee, CEO of ASM PT. "Our organizations share a very similar culture of innovation and, together, DEK and SIPLACE will develop completely new SMT technology approaches under Guenter Lauber's leadership."
ASM PT expects improved integration in printing and placement to lead to more consistent process chains and, ultimately, significant SMT process quality and efficiency improvements. "As a team, DEK and SIPLACE bring not only the best-in-class printing and placement technologies," explained Guenter Lauber, "but will also develop reliable and transparent process chains. For customers, this translates into electronics production quality and cost advantages not available from other suppliers."
Following approval of the acquisition, joint integration teams will evaluate opportunities for cooperative development projects, as well as medium- and long-term sourcing, production, development and sales synergies. The steering committee for these integration projects will be spearheaded jointly by Guenter Lauber and SMT business segment CFO, Mike Möhlheinrich, as well as the future division heads, Guenter Schindler and Michael Brianda.
"The acquisition decisions already made guarantee DEK customers and partners a high level of continuity, as the sales and support teams will remain the same," said Michael Brianda in summary. "Most of all, however, the joining of our organizations will create unique development opportunities and process improvements for our shared customers and offer new possibilities for future customers."
