Hsinchu, Taiwan--Electronic paper (ePaper) and liquid-crystal display (LCD) technologies company E Ink Holdings or "E Ink" signed a definitive agreement to buy a majority of the shares of SiPix Technology, Inc. (STI;) and its wholly owned subsidiary SiPix Imaging, Inc. (SII), ePaper display technology manufacturers based in Fremont, CA and Taiwan that make micro‐cup-technology based electrophoretic displays.
The combined company says it will offer an expanded portfolio of ePaper products to open new markets and diversify into newer applications. E Ink says its ePaper offers the best digital reading experience, being easier on the eyes, consuming a fraction of the power compared to traditional displays, being readable in sunlight, and also lightweight, rugged, and field proven with over 50 million ePaper displays being used worldwide.
E Ink agreed to buy 82.7% of SiPix's (STI) shares and is seeking to buy up to 100%. After customary regulatory approvals, the final closing is likely to be during Q4, 2012.
"E Ink is committed to growing the ePaper market and the purchase of SiPix shares is part of our long term growth strategy," said Scott Liu, Chairman of E Ink Holdings. "Our goal is 'E Ink On Every Smart Surface' and we are continuing to make investments in technologies that will open new markets for our ePaper displays."
The merger, says E Ink and SiPix, will enable its customers to choose from a wider portfolio of products and technologies with a larger global network of offices to support customers in different geographies. E Ink currently enjoys more than a 90% share in the eReader market with customers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookeen, Ectaco, Hanvon, iRiver, Kobo, Sony, Wexler and others. E Ink also makes ePaper displays for digital signage, electronic shelf labels, battery and memory indicators, wrist watches, credit cards, mobile phones, and a variety of other applications. Its customers include Epson, Pervasive Displays, Motorola, Lexar, Citizen, Seiko, Toppan, Invue, Eton, Motion Display, Neolux and many others.
Founded in 1992 by Taiwan's leading papermaking and printing group YFY, E Ink’s corporate philosophy aims to deliver revolutionary products, user experiences, and environmental benefits through advanced technology development. This vision has led to its continuous investments in the field of ePaper display as well as its 2008 acquisition of Hydis Technologies, manufacturer of the world's best wide viewing angle LCDs and its 2009 acquisition of E Ink Corp., the worldwide leader in ePaper.
SOURCE: E Ink; www.eink.com/press_releases/e_ink_sipix_080312.html
