Test and quality solutions provider Averna has acquired Global Equipment Services Inc (GES), a division of Kimball Electronics Inc that specializes in automation, test and measurement solutions for industries such as consumer electronics, semiconductor and medical devices.

This strategic acquisition creates one of the largest independent system integrators in test automation with 1,200 employees across 20 offices within 11 countries. New Averna locations will include Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam; Suzhou, China; Trivandrum, India; Tokyo, Japan and San Jose, USA with technical support in the Philippines, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand. The acquisition also adds over 160,000 sq ft of new manufacturing space, including class 100K and 10K clean rooms.

“As our global customers’ operations spread across all continents, it was important for us to join forces with the right team and establish a significant presence in diverse geographies in Asia,” explained François Rainville, president and CEO of Averna. “With this acquisition, Averna now has a solid footprint in the Americas, Europe and Asia where the majority of our customers’ research & development and manufacturing activities are taking place. Combine that with the in-depth automation, vision and test engineering capabilities of the team and their impressive client database, GES was clearly the right fit.”

GES customers include both original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) as well as their contract manufacturers (CMs). Core technical capabilities include optical metrology and defect detection, image processing/software, and micro-alignment of components/parts for products. GES offers a wide scope of automation and inspection equipment, including functional testing, cosmetic inspection, and assembly applications across all markets.

“Being part of Kimball Electronics, we have been exposed to many large-scale projects,” said Chris Thyen, former Vice President, New Platforms at GES and now Vice President, Averna APAC. “By joining forces with Averna, not only will we be exposed to a new landscape of test, but we can share our expertise in different areas of quality innovation.”

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