SKC Completes Acquisition of Semiconductor Test Solution Company ISC

ISC, a global leader in semiconductor test solutions, embarks on a new journey as an SKC investee company.

On the 4th, SKC announced that it has completed the full payment for the stock purchase and finalized the acquisition of ISC. Kim Jeong-ryeol, the current CEO, and Kim Jong-woo, CEO of SK Enpulse, will serve as co-CEOs of ISC.

In July, SKC signed a Stock Purchase Agreement (SPA) with Helios No.1 Private Equity Fund, the largest shareholder of ISC, and has been proceeding with acquisition procedures including domestic and international corporate merger filings. SKC also participated in ISC’s capital increase, expanding its stake to 45%, completing preparations for further growth.

Founded in 2001, ISC’s main product is test sockets used for electrical characteristic testing of semiconductor chipsets. Test sockets are essential consumables in the semiconductor back-end process. As major semiconductor manufacturers advance packaging technologies to enhance chipset performance, demand for testing is rapidly increasing, making it highly promising for future growth.

In 2003, ISC became the first in the world to commercialize test sockets using silicone rubber materials. It currently holds an overwhelming market share of over 50%, ranking first in the industry. ISC also owns more than 500 patents, the highest number in the sector.

SKC plans to grow ISC as a core pillar of its semiconductor materials business. It expects synergies through technological collaboration and integrated solution commercialization with its semiconductor glass substrate business. Additionally, SKC aims to pursue further semiconductor business mergers and acquisitions (M&A), targeting semiconductor business sales of 3 trillion KRW by 2027.

Last month, SKC signed a contract to sell its semiconductor basic materials business, including wet chemical and cleaning operations in China, to a local company. It also made an investment in the US-based Chipletz, strengthening its foundation in advanced semiconductor packaging. Within this year, SKC plans to complete its semiconductor glass substrate factory in Georgia, USA.

An SKC official stated, "With the acquisition of ISC, SKC’s semiconductor business portfolio has begun a full-scale transition focusing on high value-added products and solutions," adding, "We will actively support ISC’s growth through discovering new business opportunities and bold investments."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.