e2v technologies to acquire Atmel Grenoble

JULY 13--In a bid to expand its position as a provider of specialized electronic components such as image sensors and RF transceivers, e2v technologies (Chelmsford, UK; www.e2vtechnologies.com) has conditionally agreed to acquire Atmel Grenoble (Grenoble, France) for $140 million.

Keith Attwood, e2v technologies' CEO, said that Atmel Grenoble is a great strategic fit for e2v and this acquisition will significantly strengthens sensor sales across the company's core professional imaging market. For the year ended in December 2005, Atmel Grenoble generated sales of $129 million and had 450 permanent employees. For the fiscal year ending in March 2006, e2v generated an operating profit of $24 million on sales of $207 million.

Atmel (San Jose, CA, USA; www.atmel.com) will retain the rights to its finger print scanning recognition technology. All other Grenoble products are included in the sale. George Perlegos, Atmel's chairman and CEO, said this is an important step in Atmel's plan to consolidate its manufacturing operations as it continues to focus resources on core technologies.