Why did Semtech buy Sierra Wireless?

Trending Tech: Digital Transformation: It's critical, but not all serious

Feb 15 2023 • 22 mins

As we reported on IoT-Now.com, the US-based semiconductor, IoT systems and Cloud connectivity service provider, Semtech recently completed its acquisition of Sierra Wireless. To find out what lay behind the US$1.2 billion purchase of Canada’s specialist in cellular IoT and device-to-cloud IoT solutions, we sat down with Julie McGee, Semtech’s Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Officer.

By way of background, Julie joined Semtech last year and has more than 30 years’ experience in semiconductors, including as an executive at Intel Corp., where she held positions in finance, marketing, business strategy, and supply chain. She also served as Chief of Staff to Intel’s chairman of the board and led several corporate transformation projects, taking Intel through its first Olympic Games. In doing that she brought 5G, artificial intelligence, drones and e-sports technologies together onto a global stage. Julie holds an MBA from the University of Oregon, she completed the Kellogg School of Management CMO program and the Harvard Women on Boards program. So her experience is broad, high level and topical.