NEW YORK / LONDON, March 19 - Germany’s Elmos Semiconductor is exploring a sale as its founding team considers exiting the business, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
The company, valued at €2.3 billion ($2.5 billion), has engaged Morgan Stanley to advise on the process. Early-stage talks with global semiconductor firms are underway.
Potential buyers include Infineon Technologies and Qualcomm, both seeking to strengthen automotive chip portfolios.
Founded in 1984 by Klaus Weyer, Gunter Zimmer, and Norbert Ellenberger, Elmos designs chips for vehicle safety, lighting, and powertrain systems. Co-founder Weyer controls 20.7% through his firm Weyer Beteiligungsgesellschaft, with founder-linked entities holding a majority stake.
In late 2024, Elmos sold its Dortmund wafer fab to U.S. firm Littelfuse, shifting focus to chip design. The company posted record 2025 sales of €582.6 million, with EBIT down 13% to €125.7 million. It forecasts 11% revenue growth and 24% margins in 2026.
The move reflects broader industry consolidation, with recent acquisitions by Qualcomm and Infineon signaling growing demand for scale in automotive and industrial chips.