Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd., an innovator in electronics and a global supplier of ceramic passive components, announced that it has purchased the multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) business from Panasonic Electronic Devices (PED). This acquisition increases Murata's international competitiveness in the MLCC market as Murata will acquire PEDs' technology, distributors and customers.

"PED is a respected supplier of MLCCs in the North American market and beyond so this purchase furthers Murata's goal of providing diverse, advanced and cost effective solutions," said John Denslinger, Executive Vice President for Sales and Marketing for Murata Electronics North America, a wholly owned subsidiary of Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd. "Combining Murata's technical leadership, cutting-edge products and broad range of services with PED demonstrates that Murata continues to place a high value on customer satisfaction."

Murata will work cooperatively with PED to assure a smooth transfer of not only technology, distributors and customers, but sales, patents and some facilities by January 2010.