HiDensity becomes a 100% ifm subsidiary

The completion of the acquisition of HiDensity AG, which also includes HMT microelectronic AG, is announced by the ifm group.

ifm announces the full acquisition of HiDensity Group, a major player in ASIC design. HMT microelectronic AG is the oldest and one of the largest independent ASIC design houses in Europe, specialising in the design of “mixed signal” ASICs, modules and microelectronic systems, notably for sensors and actuators. HMT and ifm share a decades-long business relationship, which led to ifm group acquiring a 30 per cent stake in HiDensity Group in 2022. As part of the acquisition, all employees and Biel, Switzerland site will be retained.

Martin Buck, co-CEO of ifm, states that the acquisition will secure the innovative strength and future growth of both companies: "Together with our future colleagues, we want to leverage the market’s opportunities for further growth of HMT and ifm." Martin Buck is keen to make it clear that the acquisition of HMT is not driven solely by economic considerations: "For ifm, acquiring HMT is about securing future component availability and strengthening ifm’s innovation through HMT’s ASIC design experience.” From HMT’s perspective, the acquisition also makes sense, as ifm is one of its largest customers. Günther Hoheisel, CEO of HMT, says: “HMT will benefit significantly from the ifm group’s growth momentum and support in realising its own growth ambitions.” HMT will continue to operate fully independently in the market, with only minimal systemic integration into the ifm group of companies.

HMT brand to be retained

Nicole Reber, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors and former majority shareholder of the HiDensity Group, is convinced that this step is a promising option and a constructive path for HMT’s future: “As part of this acquisition, we are embracing all stakeholders. The site and the jobs will be retained and our employees will continue to have a shareholder committed to HTM’s further development and growth. That was a very important factor for me during the acquisition process. Our customers and suppliers can also continue to rely on a dependable partner. For me, the fact that HMT will continue to operate independently in the market makes the acquisition by ifm a positive and coherent overall move." This is also important to Martin Buck: “At no point was it an option to let the HMT brand disappear from the market. Instead, we are interested in supporting HMT’s growth plans and expanding its technology offering. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all customers, suppliers and employees. At ifm, we will do everything we can to ensure a seamless transition and support HMT in its growth ambitions.”
Martin Buck stresses that, especially with regard to HMT’s customers, HMT will remain a reliable and competent partner in every respect.

The HMT business concept remains unchanged

HMT has always consistently pursued a European strategy and is thus ahead of the industry: it has continuously created new jobs in Biel and has invested around ten million Swiss francs in the company’s own test centre since 2012. When it comes to partners and suppliers, it places emphasis on European companies. HMT thus proves that it is absolutely possible in Europe and Switzerland to keep up with the cost structure from East Asia if the higher level of training of the employees is taken into account and used correctly and if automation is consistently advanced.

“ifm has a positive influence on HMT’s operative business, especially with regard to current and future projects of our entire customer base,” emphasises Günther Hoheisel, CEO of HMT microelectronic AG. “Based on a balanced customer portfolio, we as a Swiss company will know how to use the strengths of our location. As regards the combination of cost, quality and design, we continue to offer the right balance to customers.”