Date: 18/10/2008

Touch screen controllers maker Hampshire is now part of Microchip

Microchip Technology Inc. has acquired Hampshire Company Inc. Hampshire is a leading vendor of touch screen controllers. Hampshire provides universal touch screen controllers and related system software.

Driven by the Apple's iPhone, the touch screen controller market is heading for a positive growth. Isuppli market analysis report on this market says, The touch screen controller market is expected to reach a total revenue of 4.4 billion US$ by 2012 with a growth rate of 83% from the year 2006 revenues of 2.4 billion US$.

Some of the other leading vendors of this market are, eGalax, N-trig, ST Micro, Sony, Sharp, TMD and Samsung.

Steve Sanghi, Microchip's President and CEO said, "Hampshire's portfolio of products will extend Microchip's leadership in universal touch screen controllers. Microchip intends to capitalize on Hampshire's leading technology to accelerate touch screen R&D for the next generation of touch screen controllers."

The terms of the deal are confidential, and the deal is expected to be immediately accretive to Microchip's earnings.