ams expands optical sensor portfolio and market dominance

ams, a company specializing in high-performance analog ICs and sensors, announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of CMOSIS, a company specializing in high-tech line-scan CMOS image sensors for high-performance imaging applications, in a cash transaction.

CMOSIS, based in Antwerp, Belgium, is a leading manufacturer of line-scan CMOS image sensors, including high-performance standard and custom sensors suitable for demanding imaging applications. CMOSIS’s imaging solution portfolio is characterized by low noise, global and rolling shutter, high dynamic range, high-speed on-chip analog-to-digital conversion, and high-speed frames via digital interfaces.



Simosis' image sensors provide a wide range of high-performance applications in various markets, including machine vision, medical, broadcast, traffic, scientific, and photographic imaging. In addition, Simosis offers the NanEye compact camera module for medical applications such as endoscopes and recently won the German Innovation Award in the field of Non-Clinical Intensive Care.

Simosis, established in 2007, boasts operating profitability exceeding that currently generated by the ams group, and is projected to achieve annual sales of approximately 60 million euros in 2015. Under the terms of this acquisition agreement, ams plans to acquire 100% of Simosis shares from private equity firm TA Associates, and the value of the management shareholder's stake is expected to reach approximately 220 million euros.

"With the acquisition of Simosys, ams has perfectly complemented its sensor portfolio and views this as a significant step in executing its growth strategy for sensor solutions. As Simosys’s cutting-edge IP and design capabilities are integrated with ams’s manufacturing competitiveness and strengths in optical sensors, the integration of advanced optical sensors into cameras is expected to drive new sensor solutions in vertical markets and serve as a springboard to accelerate our growth plans," said Kirk Laney, CEO of ams.