Passive component suppliers Yageo and Thinking Electronic Industrial have put a growing focus on their sensor products, such as temperature sensors, industrial and other niche-market sensors.
In October alone, Yageo announced two sensor-related acquisition deals aiming to expand its deployments in niche-type applications. One is to acquire France-based Schneider Electric's sensor business unit Telemechanique Sensors, which is dedicated to high-end industry-use proximity sensors, pressure sensors and limit switches. The other is to buy out Germany-based Heraeus Holding GmbH's subsidiary Heraeus Nexensos GmbH, which specializes in supplying premium platinum thin-film temperature sensors. Both deals are expected to be completed in the first half of 2023.
Yageo said sensor products are expected to become a new growth engine for the company in the near future, given growing demand for automotive, industrial control and new energy applications.
The company has reported its November revenue rose 2% sequentially and 12.9% annually to NT$10.003 billion (US$326.48 million), and January-November sales increased 14% on year to NT$112.068 billion.
Yageo said its November revenue gain was mainly bolstered by its China plants resuming normal work days in the month following a week-long holiday in October.
Yageo noted its commodity-type passive components continue to undergo inventory correction as terminal market uncertainties still linger, but its order momentum for niche-type offerings with higher ASP remains robust, enabling the company to maintain revenue gains.
As to Thinking, temperature sensors now account for 30% of its revenues and the ratio is expected to rise further, with thermistors and varistors as another two revenue contributors. Its January-November revenues edged down 0.12% on year to NT$6.847 billion.
The company said its new temperature sensors for EV cooling systems involve higher prices and profits than general sensors due to stricter quality and validation requirements and higher costs. It is also proceeding with deployments in sensor products for 5G, networking, server and energy applications.
Article translated by Willis Ke
