inTEST EMS Products Expands into Japan with General Bussan Co., Ltd. Partnership

inTEST Electronic Test, a division of inTEST Corporation (NYSE American: INTT), has announced a strategic agreement with General Bussan Co., Ltd., a leading distributor and manufacturers’ representative for the semiconductor industry in Japan. This partnership aims to promote inTEST's electrical interface, manipulator, and docking solutions throughout Japan's semiconductor industry, marking an important expansion into the Japanese market.

Japan represents approximately 15% of the global semiconductor manufacturing equipment market, making it an attractive opportunity for inTEST EMS Products. The agreement leverages General Bussan's strong customer relationships and industry expertise to distribute inTEST's automated test equipment solutions, potentially accelerating inTEST's market penetration in the region.



Mark Bradford, inTEST EMS Vice President of Sales, commented on the partnership, "General Bussan has a long history of building and nurturing strong customer relationships, providing a strong channel through which to deliver our innovative, high-quality products to the semiconductor market in Japan. Their expertise in the industry, combined with the breadth of their customer base, will measurably expand the reach of inTEST EMS as they introduce our automated test equipment to a currently underserved market."

Yuichi Kanno, President of General Bussan, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, "For decades, we have been supplying electronic devices and components to a variety of industries, including semiconductor, as well as science, analytics, medical, and security. We are very pleased to be able to introduce to our customers in Japan the advanced and established solutions that inTEST EMS Products supplies around the world."

While the immediate financial impact of this partnership may not be substantial, as new distribution channels typically require 12-18 months to generate meaningful revenue streams, the long-term potential for inTEST EMS Products in the Japanese market is significant. For a company with a market cap of $103 million, success in the Japanese market could provide material upside, though execution risks remain, including competition from entrenched local players and the historically conservative nature of Japanese semiconductor manufacturers in adopting new suppliers.

In conclusion, inTEST EMS Products' partnership with General Bussan Co., Ltd. represents a strategic move to expand its reach into the Japanese semiconductor market, potentially accelerating market penetration and driving long-term growth for the company.