As the potential market scope for electronic book readers continues to grow, at least one forward-looking hardware manufacturer is banking on a very rosy future. That manufacturer happens to be Taiwan-based Prime View International, which has just purchased electronic paper specialist E Ink for $215 million USD.
E Ink sold to Kindle maker for $215 million USD. Image: CarbonNYC/Flickr.
And, for those of you scratching your heads as to Prime View’s relevance and reputation in the hardware sector, the company is already well established in the ebook-making arena thanks to an existing production line that spits out none other than Amazon’s Kindle.
Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, E Ink has made its name producing high-resolution, zero eyestrain, e-paper display technology utilised in devices such as the Amazon Kindle, the Sony Reader and Plastic Logic’s as yet unreleased portable e-reader.
According to a Reuters report, the E Ink deal is due to close in October and will result in Prime View International supporting close to 20 different ebook manufacturers around the world. The purchase also follows the Taiwanese company’s 2005 acquisition of an e-paper business owned by consumer electronics giant Philips.
The absorption of E Ink comes after the company posted a year-on-year increase of 157 percent for the first quarter of 2009, which amounted to sales of around $18 million USD.
Once the deal is complete, Prime View International will assume the role of parent company and E Ink will maintain its U.S. positioning in Massachusetts. The company will even increase its staff count from 127 through to 150 before the end of 2009.
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