CMOS image sensor manufacturer, Cmosis, has been acquired by TA Associates, a private equity firm. The transaction is conditional on regulatory clearance and is expected to be completed by early 2014.
Cmosis manufactures image sensors covering applications including machine vision, high-end digital photography, digital cinema, aerospace, medical and biometrics. The company employs over 60 people and is based in Antwerp, Belgium.
Luc De Mey, chairman and CEO of Cmosis, commented: ‘This transaction will allow Cmosis to continue growing as an independent company with the support of TA Associates, a strong financial partner that has an impressive track record in building technology companies and is committed to supporting our future growth. I would like to take the opportunity to thank Capital-E, ING and PMV for their strong support in growing Cmosis.’
J. Morgan Seigler, a principal at TA Associates (UK), LLP who will join the company’s board of directors, commented: ‘The Cmosis management team has demonstrated expertise in building image sensor businesses. We are excited to partner with such experienced and successful entrepreneurs.’
The image sensor market is growing and is predicted to exceed $8 billion by 2014, according to Yole Développement. Cmosis is focused on several smaller, but high-growth, segments within this market such as machine vision, production cameras, traffic enforcement, medical devices and high-end consumer products. Within the overall market, CMOS continues to gain share over the more established charge-coupled device (CCD) technology.
