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TDK to acquire MEMS maker InvenSense for $1.3 billion in cash

TDK Corporation and MEMS maker InvenSense entered into a definitive agreement this week with TDK agreeing to acquire all of the outstanding InvenSense shares for cash for a total acquisition price of $1.3 billion. The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies. Completion of the transaction is expected in second quarter of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018.  According to TDK, this acquisition promotes further growth in sensor and actuator products, which is an important part of the company's strategic growth plan.  The transaction brings together a more complete portfolio of sensor and software solutions spanning inertial, pressure, microphone, and ultrasonic sensor products from InvenSense, with TDK's existing pressure, temperature, electric current and various other sensors.  The acquisition will be completed through a merger of a newly created subsidiary of TDK with and into InvenSense, with InvenSense continuing following the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of TDK.

Sensors attract $3.4 billion in funding over past decade

Developers of innovative sensors attracted $3.4 billion, or nearly 80% of the $4.3 billion funding for sensor modules over the past decade, underlining their importance in the fast-emerging IoT market, according to Lux Research.  Overall investment in innovative sensors tripled between 2006 and 2015, reaching $486 million in 2015.  Over the past decade, sensor processing-related technologies received over $620 million in funding, while packaging solutions attracted just over $200 million and developers of energy harvesting solutions for sensors raised around $100 million.

Industrial IoT applications drive demand for MEMS devices

The rapid expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) is driving demand growth for MEMS devices in application areas such as asset tracking systems, smart grid and building automation.  Worldwide market revenue for MEMS devices directly used in industrial IoT equipment applications will rise to $120 million in 2018, up from $16 million in 2013, according to the market research firm IHS.  Additional MEMS devices also will be used to support the deployment of the IoT, such as components employed in data centers.  This indirect market for industrial IoT MEMS will increase to $214 million in 2018, from $43 million in 2013.