TDK-EPC Corporation was established in Japan on October 1, 2009, as a result of carving out one of the core business activities of TDK Corporation, namely the passive electronic components business. This sector of the market is undergoing drastic changes, and the ability to respond speedily to customer demands is crucial to our success. The aim in forming the new structure is to further strengthen our market position and thereby contribute to the growth of the TDK Group. TDK Corporation will be the sole shareholder of TDK-EPC Corporation. TDK-EPC was incorporated as a technology, manufacturing, marketing and sales company active in the electronic components, modules and systems business. The major German electronic components manufacturer EPCOS AG and its subsidiaries (subsequently referred to as EPCOS) have been brought aboard and will provide a significant boost in competitiveness, both in terms of product range as well as in market presence. While constantly assessing the changing needs of the industry, we will be able to provide technology, products, and comprehensive solutions of outstanding value. Relying on a worldwide R&D, manufacturing and sales network, TDK-EPC Corporation is expected to act as a growth engine for the entire TDK Group. The new company is poised to assume the role of global leader in the field of electronic components, modules and systems.
Upon the foundation of TDK-EPC Corporation, the following corporate logo mark has been established.
Synergy of TDK and EPCOS will Provide Significant Benefits
1. Complementing each other
A major characteristic of TDK-EPC Corporation is the fact that it represents a merger of TDK’s passive electronic components business and EPCOS. TDK and EPCOS will complement and mutually reinforce their position, while augmenting areas that formerly were somewhat underrepresented. The result will be a company bound to take its operations to the next level.
2. Enhancing efficiency
TDK is leading in the area of digital home appliances and general components for the automotive sector. EPCOS on the other hand is very successful in the automotive, industrial, and telecommunications sectors, especially in providing tailor-made solutions based on customer specifications. The two companies, therefore, are ideally poised to mutually enhance their efficiency in various regards, including technology, products, marketing, and regional coverage. The synergy effect will result in considerably higher productivity in all areas and will allow the company to build a further strengthened presence in the sector of electronic components, modules and systems. The founding year has been defined as the starting point of a new era in the worldwide Electronic Components Industry.
Supporting Customers’ Development of Next Generation Products
TDK has an impressive track record in materials technology, in particular with regard to the development of ferrite and dielectric materials, and in process technology which is vital for bringing electronic components from the lab to the product stage. EPCOS on the other hand excels in radio frequency (RF) and module technology, and applications expertise, all of which are vital for developing electronic components for a broad spectrum of applications. By putting the strengths of these two companies to optimum use, TDK-EPC Corporation will be able to develop materials for a comprehensive range of electronic components, modules and systems, device manufacturing processes on the micron level, and create the functions and shape design that are needed to make advanced end products a reality. To name only two concrete examples, TDK has accumulated outstanding expertise in thin-film forming techniques for HDD magnetic heads. This can be applied to further refine the range of Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) components and systems from EPCOS. Conversely, the Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology of EPCOS is highly suited for TDK’s development of electronic components.
We aim to develop ever smaller electronic components, modules and systems with improved performance and better electrical parameters, which, for example, can be used under especially demanding environmental conditions at high temperatures or in aggressive media. To realize these solutions we rely on our expertise in materials and process technology, evaluation and simulation, circuit and applications as well as packaging technology. Only this makes it possible to create truly innovative products. Customers demand high performance, further miniaturization and increasing energy efficiency, and we are ideally positioned to rise to the challenges of the marketplace.
Business Activities & Markets
Product Lineup for a Wide Scope of Business Activities and Markets
TDK mainly supplies general-application components such as ceramic capacitors and inductive devices for use in home appliances, personal computers, and similar products. EPCOS produces customer-and application-specific products especially for telecommunications and for automotive and industrial electronics. Market-leading examples include piezo actuators, SAW filters, duplexers, RF modules and aluminum electrolytic as well as film capacitors. Taking the capacitor sector as an example, aluminum electrolytic capacitors and film capacitors from EPCOS have a prominent position mainly in Europe. Add to this the TDK multilayer ceramic chip capacitors, and the result is a company that can successfully cover an even wider scope of application needs. Similar benefits apply to the areas of RF components, inductors, and sensors as well. The range and depth of our business activities, market presence, and product lineup will expand significantly, creating more business opportunities.
Customer Support on a Global Basis
TDK has a strong relationship with customers mainly in Japan and other nations in the Asian region. EPCOS is very successful in its home market Europe, but also complements TDK with a well established presence in other countries such as Brazil, India and Russia. Both partners have strong ties to leading North American-based customers. TDK-EPC Corporation will inherit these markets and will make further efforts to sustain customer relations on a truly global basis. The company can provide support that is both backed by real expertise and a comprehensive network. Thanks to development and manufacturing bases located around the world, the company is always close to customers’ needs. TDK-EPC Corporation will be a global player with a truly customer-oriented outlook.