ASMPT completes DEK acquisition
SIPLACE and DEK form ASMPT's SMT solutions segment where the focus is on growth and innovation
ASM Pacific Technology (ASMPT) completed its purchase of printing technology specialist DEK on 2nd July 2014. This is ASMPT's second significant acquisition in the electronics assembly industry, after having acquired the SIPLACE placement machine business in 2011.
The company, which employs 14,400 people, had historically been well-known as a leading supplier of back-end systems in the semiconductor and LED market. With the acquisition of DEK and SIPLACE, ASMPT has quickly expanded its name recognition and market position - as well as its development, production and distribution capacities - in Europe, North America and South America.
The Printing Solutions Division (DEK) and the Placement Solutions Division (SIPLACE) will form the SMT Solutions Segment within the ASMPT group.
On 2nd July 2014, ASMPT completed the acquisition of the entire DEK business from its previous owner, Dover Corporation. All of the printer specialist's production, sales locations, management and staff are acquired in their entirety.
Michael Brianda, former President of DEK, will spearhead the newly-established Printing Solutions Division. Guenter Schindler of SIPLACE will lead the Placement Solutions Division and both divisions will fall within ASMPT's SMT Solutions Segment, headed by CEO Guenter Lauber.
Both the DEK and SIPLACE teams will continue to develop solutions with distinct engineering teams and deploy the advanced tools and technologies via each group's established sales and service networks.
With this structure, customers maintain freedom-of-choice and have the assurance that they can combine DEK and SIPLACE equipment with printing or placement solutions from other suppliers or leverage the power of a full-line solution that integrates best-in-class DEK and SIPLACE platforms. Technology developers from both divisions will contribute their expertise in joint innovation projects.
"The goal is to bring forth a new generation of SMT line solutions that deliver more efficiency and process reliability through more effective integration of the printing, inspection and placement processes," says Guenter Lauber, ASMPT SMT Solutions Segment CEO.
Driving long-term growth and innovation
"Just as it did with the purchase of SIPLACE, ASMPT aims to add innovative strength and growth with its acquisition of DEK," comments Lauber, who is confident the integration will be smooth and the result positive for the marketplace. "We will keep the successful DEK brand, thus enabling the DEK team to advance its sales, service and development activities with all its people, processes and organisational structures. This is something with which ASMPT has profound experience, as the company makes acquisition decisions with an informed, long-term perspective and carefully considers any changes regarding people and customers,"
"With SIPLACE and DEK, our SMT Solutions Segment now has two well-known, innovative brands that have delivered best-in-class solutions for many years. Alongside ASMPT's Back-End and Lead Frame Segments, the DEK and SIPLACE teams will form the SMT Solutions Segment to develop new customer solutions and markets in this segment," continues Lauber.
"This effectively establishes ASMPT as the first manufacturer to offer solutions for every phase of electronics production from assembly to final assembly. Additionally, DEK Solar's expertise in photovoltaic cell metallisation and its presence in the solar industry extend the ASMPT reach into other important markets, opening possibilities for future collaboration and alternative energy technology innovation."
ASM Pacific Technology (ASMPT) - Organisation and Product Brands
"My vision of the perfect SMT solution for our customer has always gone beyond the placement machine and its software. It is well-known that great process improvement potential is at the start of the SMT process chain between the printer, SPI and the placement machine. With the acquisition of DEK, we will focus on growth and innovative solutions for our customers by sharing knowledge, expertise and experience to optimise our customer's manufacturing processes," says Guenter Lauber, CEO ASM Assembly Systems.