AMS sells NFC and RFID reader business to STMicroelectronics

PARTNER NEWS: Chip maker AMS has sold its NFC and RFID reader product lines to STMicroelectronics. AMS will continue to retain ownership of its NFC/RFID tag business, including the AS3955 NFC interface chip (NFiC) which AMS unveiled in May 2015.

amslogoThe part of the business sold to STMicroelectronics mainly consists of AMS’ NFC front-end/booster solutions for mobile and its RFID reader product line, AMS told NFC World.

“This acquisition builds on our deep expertise in secure microcontrollers and gives ST all of the building blocks to create the next generation of highly-integrated secure NFC solutions for mobile and for a broad range of Internet of Things (IoT) devices,” says Claude Dardanne, executive VP and general manager of STMicroelectronics’ Microcontroller and Digital ICs Group.

“Divesting certain RFID/NFC product lines streamlines our product and technology portfolio around our core sensor solutions competence while maximizing the value of our high performance wireless IP,” AMS CEO Alexander Everke explains.

More details can be found in the AMS press release below:

AMS divests NFC and RFID reader product lines to increase focus on sensor solutions retaining sensing-related wireless activities

Executing its sensor solutions strategy, AMS divests NFC and RFID reader wireless product lines to STMicroelectronics while retaining certain wireless products and IP for next generation sensing

Premstaetten, Austria (29 July 2016) – AMS (SIX: AMS), a leading worldwide manufacturer of high performance sensor and analog solutions, has signed an agreement to divest NFC and RFID reader IP, technologies and product lines to STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) for an up-front cash consideration of USD 79.3m (approx. EUR 71.5m) plus a substantial deferred earn-out consideration contingent on future results of up to USD 37 million. With this transaction, AMS takes another significant step on its path to being the leading provider of sensor solutions worldwide. AMS will retain its sensor-related NFC/RFID tags business and relevant design capabilities to create wireless IoT sensor solutions and support upcoming sensor nodes.

The transaction is part of AMS’ ongoing efforts to actively manage its portfolio of technologies with a clear focus on implementing its sensor solutions strategy. The divestment comprises AMS’ NFC assets, including NFC front-end and antenna boost solutions, and integrated HF/UHF RFID reader assets. The related design and marketing resources are mostly based in Premstaetten, Austria, and Ljubljana, Slovenia, and include around 50 employees which will be transferred to STMicroelectronics. AMS will retain its NFC/RFID wireless tags business and related IP and plans to create wireless sensor solutions for IoT applications combining NFC and RFID connectivity interfaces with its portfolio of sensors.

The transaction is expected to close today as no regulatory approvals are needed. AMS expects to deconsolidate the business lines covered by the transaction from 1 August 2016 onwards.

Alexander Everke, CEO of AMS, commented on the transaction: “Divesting certain RFID/NFC product lines streamlines our product and technology portfolio around our core sensor solutions competence while maximizing the value of our high performance wireless IP. We are dedicated to actively managing our technology portfolio and focus on the most relevant opportunities driving our sensor solutions strategy forward. This transaction is a next strategic step on our way to make AMS the world’s leading provider of sensor solutions for all major end markets.”