Top tech firm considers sale in 'strategic review'

ONE of Wales' leading tech businesses, IQE, could be sold as part of a strategic review.

- SION BARRY Business editor

The Cardiff-based global supplier of compound semiconductor wafer products and advanced material solutions has confirmed its potential sale after extending a review, advised by Lazard, that had initially focused on offloading its Taiwan business.

It has now confirmed it is in receipt of an approach for the entire business, although stressing there can be “no certainty either that an offer will be made nor as to the terms of any offer, if made.”

It comes as IQE, in a trading update for 2025, said it continues to experience weakness in wireless markets, largely as a result of softness in mobile handset sales, and this is expected to persist through 2025.

In addition, delays to federal funding cycles in US military and defence sectors are resulting in the deferral of orders into 2026.