Semtech Completes Acquisition

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Semtech Corp. said late Wednesday that it completed acquisition of another semiconductor maker, Sierra Monolithics Inc., for $180 million in cash.

The Camarillo chipmaker said it paid for the Irvine company with cash reserves and expects to book a related one-time charge of $33 million in its fiscal third quarter. Semtech expects the purchase to add to its earnings within a year.

Sierra Monolithics, which makes chips for optical communications, microwave and wireless products, has 110 employees. Semtech, which makes chips for a wide variety of products, was interested in the company because of the growing demand for chips to facilitate video traffic over the Internet.

Sierra expects to report $50 million in revenue this year, and expects revenue to grow 20 percent to 30 percent next year.

“We have created a uniquely differentiated company that … furthers our leadership position in many fast growing segments of the market,” Chief Executive Mohan Maheswaran said in a statement.

Semtech shares were up 5 cents, or less than 1 percent, to $16.85 in Thursday midday trading on the Nasdaq.