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Samsung Can’t Find a Buyer for Tool Maker SEMES
July 15, 2019

In March, we indicated that Samsung Electronicswanted to sellequipment affiliate, SEMES,in which it holds a 91.5% stake.  The subsidiary provides a number of cleaning, polishing, and deposition tools, primarily to SDC, but given their reduced expansion plans, internal equipment sales are not looking.  If SEMES was sold, it would give the buyer access to Samsung Display and Samsung Electronics, which could generate incremental business for a buyer who does not have that contacts.
But potential buyers have not expressed any interest, due to SEMES relatively small customer base. Samsung is reaching out to KC Tech, a Korean supplier of similar tools.  KC Tech is a primary equipment supplier to LG Display and the recently installed CEO of KC Tech was a former VP at Samsung Display, so their seems to be some synergy between SEMES and KC Tech.