Mori Seiki poised to acquire Sony measurement tech business

Mori Seiki Co. Ltd and Sony Corp. have entered into a non-binding memorandum of intent to transfer the measuring systems (magnescale, laserscale) business of Sony Manufacturing Systems Corp., a 100% subsidiary of Sony, primarily located at SMS?Isehara plant, together with related manufacturing and sales businesses in other Sony subsidiaries, to Mori Seiki. Mori Seiki has been purchasing measuring equipment applying magnetic technology (Magnescale) from suppliers but after completion of the proposed acquisition will aim through in-house production of Magnescale to improve accuracy of its machine tools and reduce production cost by increasing production volume, in order to become more competitive in the machine tool industry. Furthermore, Mori Seiki plans to drive technology development of the measuring equipment applying laser technology (Laserscale) in order to utilise it for its machine tools and establish a lead in ultra precision machine tools of the next generation. Mori Seiki plans to further develop its measuring systems business, including sales to outside customers, by acquiring the SMS measuring systems business.Junior