Shimadzu acquires European electron microscopy pioneer for $711 million
The combination is set to deliver complete solutions for semiconductors, life sciences and materials science
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Shimadzu Corporation completed the acquisition on July 10 of all shares of Glass HoldCo s.r.o., which indirectly holds all shares of TESCAN GROUP, a.s., a Europe-based pioneer in electron microscopy, thereby making TESCAN a wholly owned subsidiary. This transaction completes the share acquisition procedures for Glass HoldCo s.r.o. that Shimadzu announced on December 25, 2025. The acquisition price is USD 711 million (JPY 115.2 billion, calculated at an exchange rate of JPY 162 to USD 1). TESCAN is expected to be included in Shimadzu’s consolidated balance sheet from the second quarter of the fiscal year ending March 2027, and in its consolidated statement of income from the third quarter of the same fiscal year.
Rationale for the Acquisition of TESCAN
Under its current medium-term management plan, Shimadzu is advancing a business transformation aimed at supporting customers’ workflows and providing end-to-end solutions through science and technology. TESCAN is a manufacturer of instruments used to observe, process, and analyze the microstructure of materials, including SEM systems (scanning electron microscope systems), FIB-SEM systems (focused ion beam scanning electron microscope systems), TEM systems (transmission electron microscope systems), X-ray micro-CT systems, and laser processing systems. TESCAN’s electron microscopes are used in a wide range of fields, including semiconductors, life science, and materials, and the company has sold more than 4,000 units in 80 countries worldwide.
Expected Synergies
Enhanced end-to-end solutions: By combining compositional analysis and physical property data obtained from Shimadzu’s chromatographs, mass spectrometers, and testing machines with surface observation data generated by TESCAN’s electron microscopes and related systems, we will provide one-stop solutions in fields such as semiconductors, life science, and materials. Mutual use of regional presence and customer base: We will expand sales of TESCAN products primarily in Asia, where Shimadzu has a strong market presence, while also expanding sales of Shimadzu products in Europe and North America, where TESCAN has an established customer base.
Changes in Directors (as of July 10, 2026)
Following the closing, Shimadzu plans to change the management structure of Glass HoldCo s.r.o. and TESCAN GROUP, a.s. as follows.
- Glass HoldCo s.r.o.
Jean-Charles Chen and Pavel Šustek will continue to serve as directors of the company. Vladimir Lasocki, Petr Rieger, Marek Nechvátal, and Cyrille Sudraud will resign as directors. Shimadzu will appoint Haruhiko Miyagawa, Robert Kaubek, and Tomio Kitamura as new directors. - TESCAN GROUP, a.s.
Jean-Charles Chen, Pavel Šustek, and Antonín Sedláček will continue to serve as directors. Shimadzu will appoint Haruhiko Miyagawa, Robert Kaubek, and Tomio Kitamura as new directors, and Haruhiko Miyagawa will serve as Chairman of the Bo
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