e2v Acquires Atmel

Mention e2v and broadcast engineers will probably think of TV transmitter tubes, satellite HPAs, thyratrons and, perhaps if they've been in broadcasting a few decades and remember the company's original name -- EEV, camera tubes as well. Last week e2v said it is acquiring Amtel Grenoble S.A.S. Amtel Corp. originally acquired the company in December 2003 from Thales (formerly known as Thomson-CSF).

Amtel Grenoble compliments e2v's experience in specialized tube markets, which also includes sensor components, satellite high power amplifiers and X-ray tubes. Amtel Grenoble designs, manufactures and distributes specialized electronic components and sub-systems, including image sensors and cameras, smart RF transceivers, aerospace-qualified microprocessors and broadband data converters.

The directors of e2v said in a statement they "believe that the acquisition represents an opportunity to strength the group's position as a major global provider of specialized electronic components and sub-systems." As an example of this, e2v directors listed strengthened research and development capability and opportunities for technology transfer and a significant strengthening of the group's position in the professional imaging sector as benefits of the acquisition.