What Probe Technology does

Probe Technology supplied advanced Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) test hardware to the semiconductor industry, headquartered in East Kilbride, United Kingdom, with a headcount of 51-100 employees. The company's product portfolio centered on wafer probe cards used for testing semiconductor devices during wafer-level and packaged-device testing, organized into vertical probe cards (PowerX, Vertex, MXP, MVP), RF probe cards (NuvoRF, HelixRF), and cantilever probe cards. Complementary offerings included test sockets, PCB design and fabrication services, and signal integrity / power integrity (SI/PI) simulation and validation, packaged as turnkey test solutions delivering the full test stack under a single provider.

The business operated as a B2B, quote-based model typical of bespoke semiconductor test equipment, with direct sales to semiconductor and electronics manufacturers requiring wafer-level and packaged-device testing. Pricing was not publicly disclosed and the company did not document marketing channels or distribution partnerships, consistent with relationship-based enterprise sales. Probe Technology was formerly part of the NIKAD group, which positioned it within a broader industrial holding structure.

In April 2025, Probe Test Solutions Ltd (PTSL), a Scottish ATE test hardware company innovating since 2009, acquired the assets of Probe Technology. The Probe Technology legal entity ceased operations effective April 2025, ceased accepting new orders, and transferred its team to PTSL to preserve continuity of service and expertise. All current orders are being fulfilled as scheduled, while new business is redirected to PTSL under the [email protected] contact channel. PTSL holds ISO 9001:2015 certification (certificate CAP1461), and the combined entity offers an expanded product portfolio spanning probe cards, turnkey solutions, SI/PI simulation, PCB, and test sockets.

Name

Probe Technology

Legal name

Probe Technology

Website

https://probetechnology.co.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Closed

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Probe Technology supplied advanced ATE test hardware — wafer probe cards, test sockets, PCBs, and SI/PI simulation services — to semiconductor manufacturers in the UK and internationally. Its legal entity ceased operations in April 2025 following acquisition by PTSL.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Semiconductor Test Equipment

NAICS

Semiconductor Machinery Manufacturing (333242), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515)

SIC

Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Test, Probe & Burn-In Equipment (Wafer Sort/Final Test) (HDAHAEAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sockets, IC Sockets & Test/Programming Interconnects (HDAHAOAF), Test & Measurement Equipment (Oscilloscopes, DAQ, signal analyzers, calibration benches) (IMAGAFAC)

Keywords

• Wafer probe cards
• Semiconductor test equipment
• ATE test hardware
• RF probe cards
• Test sockets

Headquarters

HQ city

East Kilbride

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Core offering

Probe Technology supplied wafer probe card solutions for the semiconductor industry, including vertical, RF, and cantilever probe cards, test sockets, PCB design and fabrication, and SI/PI simulation and validation services. The company delivered advanced ATE (Automatic Test Equipment) test hardware for wafer-level and packaged-device testing of semiconductors.

Product overview

PTSL (Probe Test Solutions Ltd) specializes in advanced ATE (Automated Test Equipment) test hardware solutions, offering a one-stop shop for full turnkey solutions since 2009. The product portfolio includes vertical probe cards (PowerX, Vertex, MXP, MVP), RF probe cards (NuvoRF, HelixRF), and cantilever probe cards, complemented by PCB design and fabrication services, SI/PI simulation and validation, and test sockets. Following the acquisition of Probe Technology (formerly part of NIKAD group), the combined entity now offers an expanded technology and product portfolio under the PTSL brand.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Vertical Probe Cards Precision vertical-contact wafer probe cards for ATE-based wafer-level testing of semiconductors, offered in variants such as PowerX (power device testing), Vertex, MXP, and MVP. Used by semiconductor fabs and test houses for die-level electrical test.
• RF Probe Cards Wafer probe cards designed for RF and high-frequency device testing, including NuvoRF and HelixRF variants supporting high-frequency applications up to 110 GHz. Targets RFIC and mmWave semiconductor test programs.
• Cantilever Probe Cards Conventional cantilever-style wafer probe cards for legacy and cost-sensitive wafer test applications.
• Test Sockets Test sockets for ATE-based electrical testing of packaged semiconductor devices, complementing the company's wafer probe card portfolio.
• PCB Design PCB design service for load boards, probe card PCBs, and ATE interface boards, sold to semiconductor test engineering teams.
• PCB Fabrication PCB fabrication service for ATE test hardware boards, supporting a turnkey workflow of design to manufactured test boards.
• SI/PI Simulation & Validation Signal integrity (SI) and power integrity (PI) simulation and validation services for ATE test paths, load boards, and probe card interfaces. Used by semiconductor test engineers to qualify test hardware before tape-out.
• Turnkey Solutions Bundled turnkey test hardware solution combining probe cards, test sockets, PCB design, PCB fabrication, and SI/PI validation into a single integrated engagement for semiconductor test programs.

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• NIKAD GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2025Probe Technology was formerly part of the NIKAD group. The assets of Probe Technology were acquired by Probe Test Solutions Ltd (PTSL) as of April 2025. The acquisition enables expanded technology and product portfolio while maintaining continuity of service through team transition to PTSL.

Recent moves3 records

Direct peers

• SV Probe: SV Probe (a wholly owned subsidiary of Translarity) designs and manufactures vertical, MEMS, and cantilever probe cards. It is a direct peer competing for the same wafer-level test sockets at fab customers.
• FormFactor: FormFactor is the global leader in probe cards for wafer-level test across DRAM, NAND, logic, and RF applications. It is the most directly comparable peer to Probe Technology, competing head-to-head in vertical and cantilever probe cards and serving similar foundry, IDM, and OSAT customers.
• Micronics Japan Co. (MJC): MJC is a major Japanese probe card manufacturer serving memory and logic customers with vertical and cantilever technologies. It is a direct competitor to Probe Technology in wafer-level ATE test hardware.
• Chunghwa Precision Test Tech (CHPT): CHPT is a Taiwan-based probe card and test interface supplier, particularly strong in vertical probe cards and load boards serving Asian semiconductor fabs. It is a directly comparable competitor in the same vertical probe card product category.
• Technoprobe: Technoprobe is one of the largest independent probe card manufacturers globally, with strong positions in vertical probe cards for advanced logic and memory. It is a direct competitor to Probe Technology's PowerX/Vertex/MXP/MVP vertical product lines.
• LEENO Industrial: LEENO Industrial is a South Korea-based supplier of test pins, sockets, and probe pin components used in probe card assembly. It is a closely comparable supplier in the wafer and packaged-device test interconnect supply chain.
• Translarity: Translarity specializes in probe card technologies including vertical and MEMS-based contactors for advanced wafer test. It is a direct peer in the probe card market with comparable customer profiles.
• Yokowo: Yokowo's Semiconductor Test division produces vertical and cantilever probe cards for memory and logic customers. It competes directly with Probe Technology's probe card offerings in wafer-level ATE.

Broad incumbents

• Cohu: Cohu's Test & Inspection segment includes probe cards (contactors, MEMS, vertical) and handlers. It competes with Probe Technology across wafer-level and packaged-device test, but as a broad incumbent with a much larger product portfolio spanning ATE, handlers, and inspection.

Others

• Probe Test Solutions Ltd (PTSL): PTSL is the Scottish acquirer of Probe Technology's assets (effective April 2025) and a direct ATE test hardware peer with overlapping vertical, RF, cantilever probe cards and PCB/SI-PI services. It is the entity that has absorbed Probe Technology and now represents its commercial continuation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/probe-technology-limited

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Probe Technology