IMI German Subsidiary VIA Optronics Forms JV with Toppan

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Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. (IMI)’s German subsidiary VIA Optronics GmbH recently formed a new joint venture company with Toppan Printing Co. Ltd in Japan to serve the market for copper-based metal mesh touch sensors by transferring 65% of the shares of Toppan Touch Panel Products Co. Ltd, a newly formed spin-off from Toppan, to VIA. The name of the new joint venture company will be VTS-Touchsensor Co. Ltd (VTS).

To be based in Higashiomi, Shiga Prefecture, in Japan, VTS will develop and manufacture the metal mesh touch sensors in Japan on the existing premises of Toppan. VIA will leverage its years of knowledge and experience of market requirements, system-level design, and production in the automotive, consumer and industrial markets to support further development of the core sensor technology.

Juergen Eichner, CEO of VIA Optronics, said, “Using the experience of both companies, VTS will provide game changing metal mesh touch sensors to their existing and future customer base. The new setup will also strengthen VIA’s portfolio of differentiated and value-added sensor technology for touch panels, touch-display modules, display head assemblies, and interactive display systems across multiple markets and segments.”

VIA, together with Toppan, will continue to grow the business in all market segments, extend touch sensor production line capacity of VTS and continuously develop the technology itself.

VIA will own 65% of the JV, while Toppan, 35%.

About VIA

VIA is a leading supplier of interactive display solutions, with core competences in the area of optical bonding for sunlight readability and robustness as well as high-performing touch-display modules. Having its roots in the high-reliability and industrial market segments, the company now serves multiple touch-display applications in consumer electronics, automotive and industrial markets.

VIA’s optical bonding technology enables high yield bonding for multiple display application such as thin, lightweight, curved, plastic lens, 3D and large size applications. Now in combination with superior copper-based metal mesh touch technology, VIA is in a strong position to address the growing demand for interactive display solutions in consumer electronics, automotive and industrial display applications.

About Toppan

Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. is one of the largest Japanese and worldwide printing companies, having businesses in the area of commercial printing, publications, packaging, interior decor and industrial materials, clothing, precision electronic components, securities and business forms, compact discs, and computer processing. The Company operates through three segments: Information & Communication, Living & Industry, and Electronics.

As part of the Electronics segment, Toppan has developed and marketed projected capacitive touch sensors using copper-based metal mesh with low sheet resistance that achieve excellent touch performance and optical quality, and has developed display-related business operations based on these sensors.

About IMI

Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. (IMI), the manufacturing portfolio of AC Industrial Technology Holdings, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ayala Corporation is among the leading global manufacturing solutions providers in the world.  IMI ranks 18th in the list of top 50 EMS providers in the world by the Manufacturing Market Insider (March 2018 edition), based on 2017 revenues. In the automotive segment, it is the sixth largest EMS provider in the world per New Venture Research.

IMI specializes in highly reliable and quality electronics for long product life cycle segments such as automotive and industrial electronics.

For the automotive segment, IMI delivers customized solutions for safety and security, among others. It supplies cameras that are integral technology to the advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). For the industrial segment, it manufactures security and access control devices, power modules, and building automation, among others. From its manufacturing plants in the United States, Mexico, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, China, United Kingdom and the Philippines, IMI provides engineering, manufacturing, and support and fulfillment capabilities to diverse industries globally. For more information, visit www.global-imi.com.