Intel has announced that it will be selling a 20% stake in IMS Nanofabrication to Bain Capital, a global private investment firm. IMS Nanofabrication is a key technology firm that makes photolithography masks used in the production of advanced semiconductors. Selling off a portion of IMS Nanofabrication to Bain Capital will increase the company's value, while positioning it to capture more market share by accelerating innovation and enabling deeper cross-industry collaboration. According to Intel, IMS' technology is critical in the development of multi-beam mask writing tools which are used in the production of semiconductors that are vital to the technology and manufacturing industries.
The restructuring marks Intel's changing approach to conducting its business. By loosening its grip on IMS Nanofabrication, it could encourage more cross-industry collaboration and entice more investors since the firm will no longer be entirely dependent on Intel. Furthermore, Intel's decision to sell off a portion of IMS Nanofabrication to Bain Capital could open more doors for the company. This move could bring a fresh business approach from Bain Capital and help convince other partners and customers of IMS Nanofabrication that the company is no longer under Intel's control.
Intel purchased IMS Nanofabrication in 2015 after initially investing in the Vienna-based company in 2009. Since then, IMS Nanofabrication has delivered consistent returns on investment while expanding production capacity through three product generations. However, Intel's recent financial reports show that the company is struggling with falling sales in data centre servers and PCs, making it hard for them to pursue other opportunities and maintain investment in new products and production processes to keep up with its competitors.
According to Gaurav Gupta, Gartner's Vice President for Emerging Technologies and Trends, the sale of IMS Nanofabrication generates immediate cash for Intel while maintaining its majority control of the firm. At the same time, the move also strengthens IMS Nanofabrication's ability to innovate and grow. The sale will allow Intel to focus more on its core business, particularly developing resources for AI and 5G technologies, while Bain Capital provides IMS Nanofabrication with the financial resources it needs to continue to prosper in the global market.
The deal is expected to close in Q3 2023, and IMS will continue to operate as a standalone subsidiary led by its CEO, Dr Elmar Platzgummer.
