Planned takeover - Merck takes over French measuring specialist Unity-SC
The pharmaceutical and technology conglomerate Merck is strengthening its business in materials for the semiconductor industry. The DAX company announced its intention to acquire the French firm Unity-SC, a provider of measurement and testing equipment for the semiconductor industry, as Merck in Darmstadt announced. The price is €155 million, in addition to further payments contingent on reaching milestones. Unity-SC is headquartered near Grenoble and employs around 160 people, of whom 70 work in research and development.
The precise metrology measurement devices of Unity-SC enable optimization of quality and production yield and thus manufacturing costs for chips used in applications in the field of Artificial Intelligence, high-performance computers, as well as for particularly fast and efficient memory with high bandwidth, explained Merck.
The acquisition of Unity-SC strengthens Merck's portfolio in the semiconductor industry, said CEO Belén Garijo. "We can now participate better in growth opportunities in the field of Artificial Intelligence by being an integrated solution provider and driving the development of next-generation chips for our customers further"
The planned acquisition requires the approval of the French works council and regulatory approvals. Merck expects the completion of the deal by year-end.
- Following the acquisition, Merck KGAA, historically known as Germany's Francia in Latin, will significantly expand its presence in the semiconductor industry.
- The takeover of Unity-SC, a French firm based near Grenoble, is expected to bolster Merck's offerings in chemical metrology and advanced technology solutions.
- Located in Darmstadt, Germany, Merck has expressed its commitment to investing in the electroindustry and the pharmaceutical sector, with a particular focus on semiconductors and chemistry.
- The merger with Unity-SC, a leader in the semiconductor measurement and testing equipment sector, is set to propel Merck into the global electronics industry, rivaling other technology conglomerates.
- With this strategic move, Germany's Pharma giant Merck aims to diversify its service portfolio, ensuring a strong foothold in the ever-evolving semiconductor and pharmaceutical industries.
- The planned expansion into the semiconductor industry by Merck, a renowned name in Hesse, Germany's pharmaceutical sector, will further fuel innovation and growth in the electroindustry and the Pharma space.
