ifm group acquire stake in Biel-based microelectronics holding company, HiDensity
Contract signing in Biel: (from left) Andreas Reber, Nicole Reber, Prof. Dr. Bernd Buxbaum (Board of Directors of HiDensity AG)
The German based, ifm group of Companies, takes a minority share in the HiDensity AG, the sole holder of Biel-based HMT microelectronic AG. In doing so, the Swiss company is taking an important step into the future, being described by HiDensity’s founder, Andreas Reber, as “rounding off his life’s work.”
Active in the ASIC design industry, HMT microelectronic AG is the eldest, and one of the largest, independent contract ASIC design houses in Europe. Since its foundation in 1978, as a spin-off of the Swiss watch industry, over 500 ASICS developments have entered into series production. In today’s automated world, sensors and actuators developed by HMT are present in every market segment: from industrial to automotive, medical and aeronautic. HMT specialises specifically in "mixed signal" ASICs, modules and microelectronic systems, particularly for sensors and actuators. The company headquarters are located in Biel, has 42 employees, and achieves a turnover in the double-digit million range.
The shares of HMT are solely owned by HiDensity AG, in which the German ifm group, with 8’100 employees worldwide, and an annual turnover of 1.25 Billion Euro’s, now owns a stake. Together with Andreas Reber, HiDensity’s co-founders have enabled ifm’s participation into the HiDensity Group by selling their share of 30%. “This forward-looking step is important to achieve our goals set for the next five years”, emphasises Andreas Reber. These goals have been set against a background of rapidly growing market segments in Industrial and Automotive. “Now thanks to the strengthening of the parent company, HiDensity, HMT has an ever more solid foundation for working with customers to develop solutions for the design challenges of the future”, continues Andreas Reber.
Security for the ifm group
“We are happy about this participation”, explains Bernd Buxbaum, Managing Director Technology, and member of the executive committee for the ifm group. “We have known HMT for over 20 years, and we now look forward to shaping a successful future together.” Specifically, The ifm group aims to develop further growth potential, together with and for HiDensity/HMT. “The ifm group will continue to use customer-specific integrated circuits in its products, and in doing so will remain at the very forefront of competitiveness.” He added that the last few years have shown that close cooperation with suppliers is very important, especially for such key components. “With the minority shareholding and partnership with HiDensity/HMT, we are taking this close cooperation to a new level”, says Bernd Buxbaum. “This assures us with more opportunities in the field of innovation and stable component availability for our products”.
Absolute protection of customer ideas
The HiDensity AG, co-founded by Andreas Reber in 1994, was established in order to buy out the previous owner of HMT microelectronic AG. HiDensity is organised as a holding company: this structure protects HMT’s internal data and prevents the flow of information to the members forming the HiDensity Group. Andreas Reber, Governing Board President of the HiDensity Group, stresses the importance of blocking this flow of information. “In order to be successful in customer-specific projects, one needs not only technical knowledge, but also a great deal of trust and confidentiality in each partnership. This specifically ensures that the customers’ ideas are wholly protected. Andreas emphasises the importance of safeguarding this information and ensures this: “The shareholders only learn of about HMT’s financial results. There is no exchange of information about customers, suppliers or even problem solutions. This structure has proven itself to date and will continue to do so in the future.
No change to the business concept of HMT
Since its foundation, HMT has consistently pursued a European strategy, and has thus remained one step ahead. It has continuously created new jobs in Biel and has invested around ten million Swiss Francs in the company’s own test centre since 2012. When it comes to partners and suppliers, HMT places emphasis on working with European companies. HMT thus proves, that it is by all means possible in Europe and Switzerland to keep up with the cost structure of the Far East, especially when one takes into account the highly skilled workforce and consistent advancements in automation technology.
"The participation of ifm has a positive impact on HMT's operative business, especially with regard to current and future projects of our entire customer base," emphasises Günther Hoheisel, CEO of HMT microelectronic AG. "Based on a balanced customer portfolio, we as a Swiss company know how to use the strengths of our location. In the triumvirate of cost, quality and design, we continue to offer customers the right balance."