Integra Technology said that it had acquired Corwil, moving into die prep and assembly for high-reliability chips used in satellites, medical gadgets, and factories. Integra is already in the business of semiconductor testing and qualification for the same applications.
The company, based out of Wichita, Kansas, said that the recent deal made it a “single point of contact” for preparing dies and assembling circuits, as well as qualifying, characterizing, probing, and testing for potential failures in radio frequency and other types of chips.
Integra also performs tests to cull out counterfeits, which are usually older chips remarked to appear newer than they are. These chips not only pose a threat to sensitive medical and aerospace electronics, but also cut into business. Last year, the Semiconductor Industry Association said that counterfeit chips cost the U.S. chipmakers an estimated $7.5 billion.
Both Integra and Corwil operate as halfway houses on the fringes of the chip industry, readying chips for market after they leave factories. Brett Robinson, Integra’s chief executive, said that the deal would give customers a more complete suite of semiconductor amenities.
Robinson said that the acquisition “provides our mutual customers with one of the largest U.S. based semiconductor die prep, assembly and test offerings in the industry.” Integra did say how much it paid for Corwil.
Integra appears to be keeping its hands off the business. Founded in 1990, Corwil will continue to operate out of Milpitas with the same employees, management team, and products. Before the sale, Corwil had been owned by private equity firm Tonka Bay Equity Partners, based in Minnetonka, Minnesota.
