InvenSense
2017
$1.3B
Why
Acquired the US maker of MEMS motion sensors and microphones for about $1.3 billion, forming the core of TDK's MEMS sensor business.
TDK Corporation
Electronic ComponentsFounded 1935- HQ today: Tokyo, Japan
Reviewed by Swet Parvadiya
Company data updated: October 2026
Acquisitions
TDK Acquisitions
4
Major Deals Covered
$1.4B
Disclosed Deal Value
What are TDK's biggest acquisitions?
TDK's largest disclosed acquisition here is InvenSense for $1.3B in 2017. This page covers 4 major deals from 2005 to 2017, each with its price where disclosed and the reason behind it.
- Major deals covered
- 4
- Largest deal
- InvenSense ($1.3B)
- First deal
- 2005
- Most recent
- 2017
| Company | Year | Price | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amperex Technology Limited (ATL) | 2005 | $100.0M | Acquired the Hong Kong-based maker of lithium-ion polymer batteries for about $100 million. |
| EPCOS | 2008 | Undisclosed | TDK made a public tender offer of EUR 17.85 per share in cash for EPCOS, the Munich-based maker of passive electronic components, valuing it at about $1.36 billion (EUR 1.2 billion), and combined the two companies' passive component businesses. TDK secured 94.35% of the shares. |
| Micronas | 2016 | Undisclosed | Added Swiss maker of Hall-effect magnetic sensors used in automotive applications. |
| InvenSense | 2017 | $1.3B | Acquired the US maker of MEMS motion sensors and microphones for about $1.3 billion, forming the core of TDK's MEMS sensor business. |
- What companies has TDK bought?
- Major acquisitions by TDK documented here include InvenSense (2017), Amperex Technology Limited (ATL) (2005), Micronas (2016) and EPCOS (2008).
- What is TDK's most recent acquisition?
- The most recent TDK acquisition documented here is InvenSense, in 2017, for $1.3B.
Micronas
2016
Why
Added Swiss maker of Hall-effect magnetic sensors used in automotive applications.
EPCOS
2008
Why
TDK made a public tender offer of EUR 17.85 per share in cash for EPCOS, the Munich-based maker of passive electronic components, valuing it at about $1.36 billion (EUR 1.2 billion), and combined the two companies' passive component businesses. TDK secured 94.35% of the shares.
Amperex Technology Limited (ATL)
2005
$100M
Why
Acquired the Hong Kong-based maker of lithium-ion polymer batteries for about $100 million.
Impact
ATL grew into one of the largest suppliers of smartphone batteries and now drives the Energy Application Products segment, which accounted for more than half of TDK net sales in FY2026.
Outcome
ATL is TDK's largest profit contributor.
TDK Corporation's Growth & Acquisition Strategy
Under its medium-term plan, TDK is steering growth toward three themes it calls DX, EX and AI-related demand: components and sensors for AI servers and data centers, batteries and power supplies for devices and industrial equipment, and passive components and sensors for electrified vehicles and renewable energy. In practice that means expanding nearline HDD head capacity, growing MEMS microphone and sensor sales (MEMS sensors returned to profit in FY2026), extending ATL into mid-sized batteries for products such as energy storage and power tools, and exiting low-return lines such as EV power supply development. TDK also continues to fund materials research, including small oxide-based solid-state batteries it has announced for wearables, and pays a semiannual dividend.
How TDK Corporation Makes Money
TDK sells components to device and equipment makers rather than to consumers. It reports four segments. Energy Application Products, the largest at about 55% of FY2026 net sales, combines ATL's small-capacity lithium-ion polymer batteries for smartphones, tablets, laptops and wearables with power supplies for industrial and ICT equipment. Passive Components covers ceramic, aluminum electrolytic and film capacitors, inductors, high-frequency and piezo parts sold under the TDK and EPCOS brands, with the automotive market as a key customer base. Sensor Application Products includes InvenSense MEMS motion sensors and microphones, Micronas Hall-effect sensors and TMR magnetic sensors. Magnetic Application Products, about 10% of sales, makes HDD heads and suspension assemblies, where nearline drives for data centers drove strong growth in FY2026. Profits depend on volume, product mix and the yen: a weaker yen lifts reported results because about 90% of staff and most sales are overseas. Battery profits are also seasonal, following smartphone launch cycles in the second half of the calendar year.
TDK Acquisitions FAQ
Why is TDK's 2005 acquisition of Amperex Technology Limited (ATL) considered legendary?
TDK acquired Hong Kong-based ATL for only US$100 million in 2005. Today, ATL generates over US$9 billion in annual revenue as the premier global supplier of lithium-ion polymer batteries for premium smartphones, representing one of the highest-returning M&A deals in electronics history.
What was TDK's acquisition of EPCOS AG in 2008 and why was it significant?
In 2008, TDK acquired German passive components maker EPCOS AG for €1.2 billion (US$1.8 billion), combining TDK's Japanese ferrite and capacitor presence with EPCOS's European automotive, industrial, and telecom customer base.
Why did TDK acquire Silicon Valley MEMS company InvenSense in 2017?
In May 2017, TDK acquired San Jose-based InvenSense for US$1.3 billion to secure market-leading 6-axis MEMS gyroscopes, accelerometers, and optical image stabilization sensors used in smartphones, wearable fitness trackers, and autonomous robotics.
What was the strategic value of acquiring Swiss sensor company Micronas in 2016?
In 2016, TDK acquired Micronas Semiconductor Holding AG for approximately US$214 million, giving TDK world-class Hall-effect magnetic sensors and embedded motor controllers critical for automotive steer-by-wire and throttle control systems.
How did TDK acquire and build TDK-Lambda industrial power supplies?
TDK acquired Lambda Power from Invensys in 2005 for approximately US$235 million, merging it with its power division to create TDK-Lambda, a global leader in highly reliable AC-DC and DC-DC power supplies for industrial and medical equipment.
What was the acquisition of Chirp Microsystems in 2018?
In 2018, TDK acquired Berkeley-based Chirp Microsystems, a developer of ultra-low-power MEMS ultrasonic time-of-flight sensors used for obstacle detection, gesture recognition, and presence sensing in VR/AR headsets and consumer gadgets.
What was the acquisition of ICsense in 2017?
In 2017, TDK acquired Belgian IC design specialist ICsense, a premier European independent ASIC design house specializing in custom mixed-signal automotive and medical sensor application-specific integrated circuits.
What is TDK Ventures and how does it source corporate technology investments?
TDK Ventures is TDK's corporate venture capital arm managing multiple funds (over $350 million) investing in early-stage startups in cleantech, materials science, robotics, generative AI hardware, and next-generation energy storage.
How does TDK integrate acquired Western and European technology companies?
TDK operates a decentralized post-merger integration model, retaining local engineering leadership and brand equity (e.g., EPCOS, InvenSense) while providing Japanese materials science research, manufacturing automation, and balance sheet scale.
What was the joint venture formed between ATL (TDK) and CATL in 2021?
In 2021, ATL and Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) established cross-shareholding joint ventures totaling ¥14 billion RMB to develop and produce mid-sized lithium-ion batteries for electric two-wheelers, home energy storage, and industrial tools.
Has TDK divested any non-core legacy businesses via M&A?
TDK divested its consumer magnetic tape and optical disc brand licensing to Imation in 2007, transferred its RF filter business to a joint venture with Qualcomm (RF360 Holdings) which Qualcomm later acquired fully, and closed custom EV power supply lines.
What is TDK's forward-looking acquisition criteria under CEO Noboru Saito?
TDK actively seeks bolt-on acquisitions in automotive sensing, AI server power management architectures, advanced bio-sensing, and solid-state battery manufacturing equipment.
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