VIA optronics GmbH (“VIA”) and Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. (“Toppan”) have agreed to form a new joint venture company to serve the market for copper-based metal mesh touch sensors by transferring 65% of the shares of Toppan Touch Panel Products Co., Ltd., a newly formed spin-off from Toppan, to VIA. The name of the new joint venture company will be VTS-Touchsensor Co., Ltd. (“VTS”).
VTS will develop and manufacture the metal mesh touch sensors in Japan on the existing premises of Toppan. VIA will leverage its years of knowledge and experience of market requirements, system-level design, and production in the automotive, consumer and industrial markets to support further development of the core sensor technology.
Juergen Eichner, CEO of VIA optronics said, “Using the experience of both companies, VTS will provide game changing metal mesh touch sensors to their existing and future customer base. The new setup will also strengthen VIA’s portfolio of differentiated and value-added sensor technology for touch panels, touch-display modules, display head assemblies, and interactive display systems across multiple markets and segments.”
VIA together with Toppan, jointly will continue to grow business in all market segments, extend touch sensor production line capacity of VTS and continuously develop the technology itself.
About VIA:
VIA is a leading provider of enhanced display solutions for multiple end-markets in which superior functionality or durability is a critical differentiating factor. Its customizable technology is well-suited for high-end markets with unique specifications as well as demanding environments that pose technical and optical challenges for displays, such as bright ambient light, vibration and shock, extreme temperatures and condensation. VIA’s Interactive Display Systems combine system design, interactive displays, software functionality, cameras and other hardware components. VIA’s intellectual property portfolio, process know-how, and optical bonding and metal mesh touch sensor and camera module technologies provide enhanced display solutions that are built to meet the specific needs of its customers.
About Toppan:
Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. is one of the largest Japanese and worldwide printing companies, having businesses in the area of commercial printing, publications, packaging, interior decor and industrial materials, clothing, precision electronic components, securities and business forms, compact discs, and computer processing. The Company operates through three segments: Information & Communication, Living & Industry, and Electronics.
As part of the Electronics segment, Toppan has developed and marketed projected capacitive touch sensors using copper-based metal mesh with low sheet resistance that achieve excellent touch performance and optical quality, and has developed display-related business operations based on these sensors.
Joint Venture Company Overview
| Company Name: |
VTS Touchsensor Co. |
| Ltd. Location: |
Higashiomi, Shiga Prefecture |
| Japan Ownership: |
VIA Optronics GmbH (65%), Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. (35％) |