ST buys ams’ NFC and RFID assets

Approximately 50 technical experts from ams have been transferred to ST.

“Security and NFC connectivity are key prerequisites for the broad rollout of mobile and IoT devices anticipated in the coming years. This acquisition builds on our deep expertise in secure microcontrollers and gives ST all of the building blocks to create the next generation of highly-integrated secure NFC solutions for mobile and for a broad range of Internet of Things devices,” says ST evp Claude Dardanne, “We welcome this highly competent team from ams into ST for the benefit of our customers.”

The first NFC controller, leveraging the acquired assets, is already sampling to lead customers, as well as a SIP solution which combines this NFC controller with ST’s secure element.

ST acquired the ams assets in exchange for a cash payment of $77.8 million (funded with available cash), and deferred earn-out contingent on future results for which ST currently estimates will be about $13 million but which in any case will not exceed $37 million.