IMI buys German display solutions firm

Ayala-led Integrated Micro-Electronic Inc. (IMI) has expanded its global footprint with its acquisition of German firm Via Optronics Gmbh, a leading provider of outdoor display solutions including touch screens.

IMI has signed a deal to acquire a 76-percent stake in VIA for 47.4 million euros (P2.46 billion), the company disclosed to the Philippine Stock Exchange Wednesday.

VIA’s founder, Jurgen Eichner, will retain a 24-percent stake and continue to lead VIA as managing director, reporting to IMI chief executive officer Arthur Tan.

The acquisition is expected to add to IMI’s earnings per share starting 2017, the disclosure said.

Part of the selling party is London- and Munich-based investment firm Alpina Partners, which is selling its 55-percent interest in VIA.  Alpina has been a shareholder of VIA since 2010.

VIA specializes in optical bonding, a technology that significantly enhances the visibility and performance of display systems, especially for outdoor use.  This technology also enhances the quality, throughput and efficiency of the display system integration process.

As such, VIA’s expertise is seen to match IMI’s existing offerings to the automotive, industrial and medical markets.

“This transaction represents a unique opportunity to accelerate IMI’s growth and broaden VIA’s opportunities by leveraging off IMI’s global footprint and resources,” Tan said.

“Together, IMI and VIA will be best positioned to revolutionize the way the world experiences vision and touch on displays.  We believe the acquisition will allow IMI to strengthen its partnerships with customers by offering complementary automotive camera and display monitor solutions for advanced driver assistance systems.  We look forward to further developing and utilizing the synergies between the two companies,” he added.

Eichner said this was an exciting new chapter for VIA, noting that IMI was the perfect strategic partner aligned with its values and growth ambitions.