February 6, 2025 /SemiMedia/ — Yageo Corporation said on Tuesday it would acquire Japan’s listed Shibaura Electronics in a deal valued at approximately NT$14 billion (JPY 65.56 billion), a move aimed at bolstering its sensor business and expanding its global footprint. The transaction marks the first cross-strait acquisition by a Taiwanese listed company in the Year of the Golden Snake.

Under the proposed terms, Yageo will buy 100% of Shibaura’s shares at JPY 4,300 per share—representing a premium of about 36.94% over Shibaura’s closing price of JPY 3,140 on Monday. The acquisition is expected to commence on May 7, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Even if the total number of shares tendered falls short of the planned 15.2462 million shares, the deal will proceed provided that at least 7.6231 million shares—50% of the target—are tendered.

Yageo said the acquisition would leverage its global distribution network to enhance Shibaura’s market reach, particularly in North America and Europe, and would support increased R&D efforts to maintain its technological edge in sensor applications. The move is anticipated to improve Yageo’s earnings per share and net asset value over time.

Founded in 1953, Shibaura Electronics evolved from a manufacturer of copper oxide rectifiers and various thermal and varistor resistors into a global leader in the thermal resistor market. With over 4,800 employees and annual revenues exceeding JPY 32 billion, the company supplies temperature sensing and circuit protection solutions to sectors including automotive, industrial, consumer electronics, and medical. Its compact, high-power products are integral to applications such as switched-mode power supplies, module power supplies, and surge suppression systems.