BE Semiconductor Industries Attracts Takeover Interest Amid Rising Demand for Chip Packaging

BE Semiconductor Industries (Besi), a Dutch chip equipment maker valued at 14 billion euros, is attracting takeover interest due to its advanced chip-packaging technology critical for semiconductor manufacturers. Potential suitors include US companies Lam Research and Applied Materials, the latter holding a 9% stake. Besi is working with Morgan Stanley to evaluate offers amid confidential talks. Discussions paused earlier this year due to geopolitical tensions but have recently resumed. Besi maintains its commitment to independence and declined to comment on takeover rumors.