Shimadzu Corporation (hereinafter “Shimadzu") has signed an agreement to acquire all shares of infraserv Vakuumservice GmbH (hereinafter "IVG"), which is involved in servicing turbomolecular pumps in Europe. After completion of the required acquisition process, IVG will be our wholly owned subsidiary in July.
Background and Purpose of Acquisition
In the semiconductor market expected to further grow by technological development related to AI and IoT, demand for turbomolecular pumps used for generating ultra-high vacuum pressures is rapidly increasing mainly in the area of components installed in semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Consequently, sales of turbomolecular pumps of Shimadzu in 2017 increased by 34 % year-on-year.
Our subsidiary in North America has been in charge of the sales activity of turbomolecular pumps in European market, where the semiconductor market is expected to grow continuously. However, in order for Shimadzu to develop our turbomolecular pump business further in European market, reinforcement of local sales activities and prompt establishment of a technical support organization were essential.
Meanwhile, IVG is servicing vacuum equipment for major semiconductor and equipment manufacturers in Europe. IVG, with advanced technological capabilities, has good relationships with their customers. Furthermore, Shimadzu has already outsourced turbomolecular pump service work to IVG.
Given the above background, Shimadzu is aiming to strengthen our turbomolecular pump sales and service capabilities in European market by acquiring IVG and obtaining local sales functions. By transferring our business relationships with European customers from our subsidiary in North America to IVG, Shimadzu intends to enhance support capabilities for existing customers and increase revenues generated from sales and service activities in European market. As a result, by 2022, Shimadzu aims to increase IVG’s net sales to approximately 21 million euros and achieve consolidated net sales of 25 billion yen in the overall turbomolecular pump business.
