The Missing Link in America’s Chip Comeback

Micross buys Integra to bolster domestic chip assembly and testing, highlighting OSAT as a critical piece of the US semiconductor puzzle

20 Jan 2026

A shift underway in the American semiconductor industry is drawing attention beyond new fabrication plants to a less visible but essential stage of production. Micross, a supplier of high-reliability microelectronics, has agreed to acquire Integra Technologies, a major U.S. provider of outsourced semiconductor assembly and test services, known as OSAT. The deal underscores how assembly and testing, once treated as ancillary, are becoming central to efforts to strengthen domestic chip supply chains.

Integra has long served defense, aerospace and industrial customers, markets where reliability and traceability are paramount, according to company statements. Micross operates in many of the same sectors, supplying components and services designed for demanding environments. By combining their operations, the companies are positioning themselves as a larger, more integrated domestic platform in a segment still dominated globally by providers in Asia.

The transaction comes amid broader initiatives encouraged by the CHIPS and Science Act, which has focused public attention on bringing advanced chip manufacturing back to the United States. Industry executives and analysts have noted, however, that fabrication is only one step in a complex process. Chips must still be packaged, assembled and tested before they can be deployed, and limited U.S. capacity in those stages has created delays and added risk for domestic customers.

Micross gains immediate scale and technical capabilities through the acquisition, avoiding the years typically required to build new facilities. Keeping more assembly and testing work within the United States could help customers shorten lead times and reduce exposure to global disruptions, particularly in regulated or mission-critical industries. Company leaders have said the deal is intended to improve supply chain security while meeting rising demand for U.S.-based OSAT services.

Analysts say the move also reflects changing customer priorities, with some buyers increasingly favoring reliability, transparency and geographic proximity over the lowest possible cost. The acquisition may signal a broader trend toward consolidation as companies seek faster paths to scale. While higher operating costs and integration challenges remain, the deal highlights how assembly and testing are moving to the center of the semiconductor strategy debate, a shift likely to influence investment and policy decisions in the years ahead.