News Article
Strategic collaboration agreement to affiliate MEMS foundry
Virtus Advanced Sensors has entered into a strategic collaboration agreement with several Taiwan-based UMC Group companies including Unimicron, and affiliated MEMS foundry ChipSense. UMC is the parent company of Unimicron.
Virtus Advanced Sensors has entered into a strategic collaboration agreement with several Taiwan-based UMC Group companies including Unimicron, and affiliated MEMS foundry ChipSense. UMC is the parent company of Unimicron.
The companies will collaborate on producing 3-axis accelerometers for a variety of consumer electronics oriented market applications including cell phones, laptop computers and car navigation systems. The agreement includes collaboration on product design, production, marketing and sales activities. `We believe this alliance will produce the results we are looking for this time next year.
According to Virtus President & CEO Louis Ross, `ChipSense has the capability and capacity to deliver reliably volume production` and has the full support of its parent companies UMC and Unimicron. ChipSense Chairman Simon Chou believes the `collaboration allows both ChipSense and Virtus to benefit from each others complementary strengths.
With this collaboration, Virtus has a reliable and capable manufacturing partner, ChipSense, and this is also a further validation of Virtus` technology. For ChipSense, it will build up very valuable technological know-how and access to a fast-growing market. This is an exciting time for both companies." ChipSense President Robert Hsieh believes the collaboration represents "…a historical moment for both Virtus and ChipSense` and looks to introduce 3-axis accelerometer products from the collaboration to the market by Q4 of 2007. ChipSense has expanded its operations over the past several years and is increasing its investment in new equipment and personnel.
Mr. T. J. Tseng, Chairman of Unimicron Group, believes that `…the 3-axis accelerometer can be applied in many aspects and there could be explosive growth in the near future, especially for consumer electronic products. I am convinced this will be an opportunity for Virtus and ChipSense as 3-axis accelerometer products have great potential.` Unimicron also recently acquired Asia Pacific MicroSystems.
Production will take place in Hsinchu Science Park.
