Infineon buys IR: What does it mean?

You remember several years ago when we were in the throes of worldwide recession? The electronics industry was not feeling the direct effects as it was business as almost usual. The talk at the trade shows was about what companies were doing with all their money. Many were flush with cash, but were not willing to invest it because of the uncertain business climate. We were officially out of that climate when Texas Instruments bought National Semiconductor (September 2011), and now we are moving on with another huge acquisition with Infineon buying International Rectifier. 

When you look at Infineon buying International Rectifier, you think that Infineon did it for access to IR’s gold − its GaN technology. But if that was all they wanted, they could have purchased one of the many smaller companies that are further along in GaN development and would only have cost millions instead of billions. The real story here is that Infineon is looking to the future semiconductor technologies and everything else that IR brings to the table such as its engineering know-how, its fabs, and its expertise in power management and integration. This is validation that GaN technology is ready to make the next move, with the money behind the development, and a big push into more engineering efforts. 

Efficient Power Conversion’s CEO Alex Lidow, no stranger to IR (as its former CEO), and trailblazer and leading light of the GaN movement, was clearly impressed that Infineon saw an opportunity and jumped in with both feet. Mr. Lidow said, “We are gratified to see that Infineon recognizes the excellent technology developed by International Rectifier. Especially significant is International Rectifier's excellent GaN technology. GaN-on-silicon transistors are in the process of replacing silicon-based power MOSFETs and IGBTs, and Infineon, through this acquisition, is showing their recognition of this major technology shift.”

I can’t wait to see the exciting products that will come out of this purchase and from the other smaller companies in the field. Let the competition begin!

You can read the details of the acquisition at Infineon Technologies buys International Rectifier.