Verigy makes probe cards foray

SAN JOSE, USA: An acquisition without much fanfare has taken ATE supplier Verigy Inc to a new business space. Verigy has said that it has bought out Touchdown Technologies Inc, a company that designs and manufactures probe cards. With the acquisition, Verigy has made its foray into the probe card business arena.

ATE supplier Verigy Inc. reaffirmed its third-quarter forecast and disclosed an acquisition.

Verigy has been an investor in Touchdown, which employs close to 60 people. With Verigy quietly completing the buy out of Touchdown Technologies, it has now been placed itself in the midst of competitors such as Cascade, FormFactor and other probe card makers.

The acquisition, in the meanwhile, has given rise to rumours that there could arise a conflict with other probe-card and ATE makers. However, Verigy has reiterated that that it would continue to provide test systems that are open and work with probe cards from all suppliers.

The company plans to continue with its good relations and will allow its customers to select which probe cards they wish to use with its systems. It has further clarified that “Touchdown's probe card business will remain autonomous from Verigy's test system business, allowing both to effectively meet customer and market needs”.

Meanwhile, a related report said Verigy has said its revenue for the third quarter is expected to increase 10 per cent to 25 per cent from the $71 million reported for the second quarter.