UK chips supplier IQE could move some production to US on tariff concerns

By Yadarisa Shabong

May 13 (Reuters) - Apple supplier IQE IQE.L is looking at moving some production to the United States and considering dual sourcing and sharing tariff costs with customers as it guards against potential U.S. duties on the chips sector, its new CEO told Reuters on Tuesday.

Trump last month said he was considering tariffs on semiconductor chips, starting at "25% or higher", but did not specify when these could come into effect.

Jutta Meier, who was confirmed as CEO on Tuesday, said in an interview with Reuters that IQE, which supplies the compound semiconductor wafer products used in the iPhone's facial recognition sensor, was constantly talking to customers to find ways to mitigate tariff pain.

"The other thing is we need to look at alternative sourcing activities, moving some of our production inside of the U.S. and ensuring that there's production there, but obviously that will take investment, that really takes time to do that," she added.

For instance, the company is looking at gallium supplies from outside of China as part of its dual sourcing strategy, Meier said.

DIVERSIFICATION STRATEGY

IQE earlier said it could sell its Taiwan business as part of a strategic review to cut debt and boost growth, having previously considered an IPO of the operation.

"(A) full sale...makes sense from a timing perspective and also from the valuation that we will get for the remaining company, and we can definitely use the proceeds much quicker for our growth and diversification strategy," said Meier.

IQE expects revenue to be within market expectations of between 115.1 million pounds ($151.9 million) and 123 million pounds in its current fiscal year to December, according to a company-provided consensus.

It reported 118 million pounds in revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024.

($1 = 0.7578 pounds)