Dialog Semiconductor has announced in a press release that it will be acquiring Atmel Corporation in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately $4.6 billion.
The deal will diversify Dialog Semi's customer base across mobile power, Internet of Things (IOT) and automotive markets.
The acquisition of Atmel allows Dialog Semi to take advantage of Atmel's established sales channel, allowing it to diversify its customer base, according to the press release.
The company also expects the transaction to provide new revenue growth opportunities and an improved operating model.
Jalal Bagherli, CEO of Dialog Semi, said in the press release that the reasons for acquiring Atmel is clear and the potential the two companies bring "is exciting."
"By bringing together our technologies, world-class talent and broad distribution channels we will create a new, powerful force in the semiconductor space," he said. "Our new, enlarged company will be a diversified, high-growth market leader in mobile power, IOT and automotive."
He also believes that the combination of power management, microcontrollers, connectivity and security technologies will create a strong platform for innovation and growth, according to the press release.
The company expects the growth to be in the large and attractive market segments that they serve.
Bloomberg also reported that Dialog Semi's acquisition of Atmel extends a record year for deals in the semiconductors industry as companies combine to counter slowing growth and increasing costs.
Intel Corp. recently acquired Altera Corp to defend its presence in data centers while NXP Semiconductors acquired Freescale Semiconductor to cut costs and expand in chips for cars.
Bloomberg mentioned that deals are also surging as chipmakers are expanding the technologies that their companies offer.
They are adding technologies that are used to connect cars, homes and appliances to the Internet.
Bagherli told Bloomberg that companies are now "trying to position themselves."
"We passed the computing era, we're at the height of the mobile era, and we're about to enter the IOT era," he said.
Under the terms of the agreement, Atmel shareholders will receive $4.65 in cash and 0.112 of a Dialog American Depository Share for each share of Atmel's stock, according to the press release.
The share price values Atmel at $10.42 based on Dialog Semi's closing stock price on September 18, 2015.
Bloomberg also reported that the price is 43 percent more than Atmel's last closing price.
The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2016, according to the press release.
