台湾光罩（TMC）董事会通过最高7.5亿日元收购熊本设备服务商TCK，切入九州半导体设备工程服务

Taiwan Mask Corporation (TMC) is expanding its presence in Japan through the acquisition of semiconductor equipment services provider TCK, extending its business beyond precision photomask manufacturing to equipment assembly and engineering support in Japan's growing Kyushu semiconductor market.

TMC's board approved the acquisition of a 100% stake in TCK for up to JPY750 million (≈ US$4.75 million) on October 16. The deal will establish a local operational base in Japan, enabling TMC to capitalize on semiconductor capacity expansion in Kyushu and meet growing demand for cross-border engineering support among Taiwanese and Japanese customers.
TCK has operated in Kumamoto for 33 years and is listed as an equipment maintenance and services provider on Japan's official Silicon Island Kyushu industry map. Demand for equipment assembly, performance tuning, and maintenance is expected to increase with semiconductor capacity expansion across Kyushu and the launch of new production lines by major Japanese grinding equipment manufacturers.
TMC said TCK generates stable net cash flow and expects the acquisition to deliver financial and operational synergies, supporting its growth prospects in 2027.
TMC president Lidon Chen said precision photomask manufacturing and wafer fabrication equipment support are both essential to the semiconductor ecosystem. The acquisition will allow TMC to establish local technical capabilities in Japan while building on its existing photomask business and strengthening customer support.
TMC advances 28nm photomasks and CoWoS photomask capacity
Alongside its overseas acquisition, TMC is refining its product and customer portfolio, strengthening its core photomask operations, and expanding into more advanced semiconductor processes and packaging applications.
Chen previously said TMC had completed customer qualification for mid-range photomasks and secured a steady flow of orders. The company is increasing the proportion of photomask production for 12-inch wafer fabs while advancing applications below 90nm and towards 65nm.
Its 40nm photomasks have also passed customer qualification and are scheduled to enter mass production in the second half of 2026. Key equipment for 28nm production is already in place, with customer qualification targeted for completion by year-end and revenue contributions expected to emerge gradually from 2027.
In advanced packaging, TMC has installed new equipment and expanded capacity for large-format 14-inch photomasks, targeting high-density redistribution layer (RDL) applications in chip-on-wafer-on-substrate (CoWoS), panel-level packaging (PLP), and chiplets. These products are expected to begin contributing revenue in the second half of 2026, providing further growth momentum for its core business.
TMC reports mixed revenue trends amid group expansion
TMC reported consolidated revenue of NT$3.05 billion (≈ US$94.28 million) for the first half of 2026, down 5.14% year-over-year, with net profit after tax of NT$185 million and earnings per share (EPS) of NT$0.61.
September revenue reached NT$489 million, declining 1.2% month-over-month but increasing 15.4% from a year earlier. Revenue for the first nine months totaled NT$4.54 billion, down 2.7% year-over-year.
Separately, TMC completed the sale of its Zhunan Plant 6 facilities and associated equipment to SPIL in September. The transaction, valued at NT$2.94 billion including tax, has been settled, with ownership transferred and payment received. TMC expects to recognize approximately NT$1.8 billion in disposal gains.
The acquisition also follows broader changes in TMC's ownership structure. In July 2025, Taiwanese game developer Softstar Entertainment invested approximately NT$1.55 billion in TMC's private placement through its subsidiary, Luminous Rise Investment, securing a 20% stake and becoming TMC's largest single shareholder. The investment expanded Softstar's presence in the semiconductor industry.
In 2026, the group was renamed Star Fusion Group. Following its acquisition of TMC, the group's portfolio expanded to include TrueLight, Innova Vision, Miracle Technology (which holds investments in Ergotron and BKS), Pilot Energy, Taiwan Laser Welding Technology, and Digital-Can Tech.
The group also retains businesses previously associated with Softstar, including Star Fusion Group, Spectrum Electrics, ALi, Array, and Chander Electronics, further broadening its corporate portfolio.