SV Probe acquires Tokyo Cathode Laboratory assets
SV Probe Pte. Ltd. (SV), a supplier of high-performance probe cards, has entered into a business transfer agreement to purchase certain probe card business, technologies, intellectual property rights and assets of Tokyo Cathode Laboratory (TCL).
Probe cards are essential tools in the electrical testing of semiconductor wafers before they are diced, packaged and assembled in electronic products such as tablets, smart phones, computers and digital media players.
This acquisition will create a stronger product portfolio for SV, place the company in a more competitive position within the IC testing market and give SV Probe a significant advantage with access to the large Japanese probe card market.
SV Probe will acquire TCL's shares in its subsidiaries in Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Guangzhou, China, along with the assets and business of TCL and its Japan subsidiaries, held or used in the marketing, manufacturing and distribution of certain probe card products.
TCL is a probe card manufacturer based in Japan with a substantial production and distribution network across Asia. The company possesses strong probe card capabilities, specifically CMOS Image Sensor (CIS) and Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), which are used mainly in smart phones, tablets, digital cameras and other imaging devices.
TCL has developed proprietary cantilever probe materials along with build and assembly processes that extend the capability of its products utilized in different device testing applications. As a result, TCL has gained a number of key CIS, LCD, and logic/SOC customers in Japan and throughout the Asian market.
"TCL's extensive knowledge in probe card technologies and strong customer relationships will create new revenue opportunities for SV Probe," says Kevin Kurtz, President & CEO of SV Probe. "This acquisition will enable SV Probe to increase its participation in the valuable and significant Japanese probe card market."
Naotake Okubo, CEO of TCL, discussing the acquisition says, "Currently TCL is undergoing Civil Rehabilitation Process. This business transfer agreement will enable our customers to continue receiving high quality products and services from a committed and experienced probe card manufacturer with minimum disruption to their business activities."