UK's IQE to take over Singapore JV

Bengaluru

CARDIFF-BASED IQE said on Thursday that it would take complete ownership of its loss-making joint venture (JV) in Singapore to capitalise on supply chains in the Asian country and China's 5G market, sending its shares 5 per cent higher.

IQE, which makes semiconductor wafers for chips used in Apple products, also manufactures for Asian customers in Taiwan and Singapore.

It has banked on the region for significant new orders amid the tariff dispute between the United States and China.

The JV, CSDC Private Ltd, was formed in 2015 by its Singaporean unit MBE Technology with WIN Semiconductors and Nanyang Technological University to develop and sell compound semiconductor technologies.

US restrictions on China's Huawei had disrupted the semiconductor industry's supply chain and IQE said it would attempt a turnaround for CSDC as it takes full control, with benefits seen from being closer to Asian chip customers and original equipment manufacturers.

"In the current geopolitical context, Singapore represents a strategically significant site for IQE," chief executive officer Drew Nelson said.

The JV, which recorded losses of S$8.9 million in 2018, will be bought for a nominal fee of US$1 from WIN and S$1 from other stakeholders, the company said.

IQE said it expects its 2019 adjusted core profit and operating profit to take a £500,000 (S$842,163) hit post the acquisition.

It reported a pre-tax loss of £3.7 million for the six months ended June 30. REUTERS