TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Konica Minolta, Inc. (Konica Minolta) (TOKYO:4902) (ISIN:JP3300600008) announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Radiant Vision Systems, LLC (Radiant), a leading provider of test and measurement solutions to the flat panel display industry.

“The combination will enable us to deliver more solutions to customers, invest in new product development, and strengthen relationships with partners and customers globally.”

Purpose of Acquisition:
Konica Minolta has established itself as a leading manufacturer in the display and light source color measurement sectors, providing high-quality products and solutions to customers around the world. Already positioned as a best-in-class provider in these sectors, Konica Minolta is striving to transform its measurement business by expanding into growing fields through the addition of new and innovative technology, skills and resources.

Radiant offers fully integrated test and measurement systems precisely engineered to meet specific customer requirements and provides turnkey systems that combine highly accurate CCD-based colorimeters or photometers with application specific software and unmatched support services to deliver easy to use systems with reliable, repeatable results.

Through the acquisition, Konica Minolta will not only solidify the foundation of its measurement business with Radiant’s sophisticated products and solutions, but will also gain the technological strength to enter the growing market for automated inspection systems in manufacturing, including visual surface inspection. Manufacturers are expected to increasingly adopt automated inspection technologies, which improve product quality and productivity.

“The acquisition of Radiant will significantly strengthen Konica Minolta’s position as a leading provider of optical and sensing solutions, and supports our core strategy of offering custom capabilities to customers globally across multiple industries and applications,” said Hitoshi Kamezawa, General Manager of Konica Minolta’s Sensing Business Unit. Paul Caragher, CEO of Radiant, added, “The combination will enable us to deliver more solutions to customers, invest in new product development, and strengthen relationships with partners and customers globally.”

Radiant has developed a breakthrough visual surface testing system engineered to meet the strict requirements of high-speed production lines and cutting-edge development labs. Given the proliferation and increased complexity of consumer electronic devices, there is a large opportunity for Konica Minolta to leverage Radiant’s technologies to support the ever increasing demand for defect measurement technologies. The expected technological synergies from the acquisition will further aid Konica Minolta’s growth strategy to enter the automated inspection market, a rapidly growing, innovation-driven field that is advancing quality and productivity in manufacturing. The acquisition will also strengthen Konica Minolta’s presence on the West Coast, where Radiant is headquartered in Redmond, WA, and facilitate broader relationships with leading customers.