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NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

CUI Global is a platform company dedicated to maximizing shareholder value through the acquisition, development and commercialization of new, innovative technologies. Through its subsidiaries, CUI Global has built a diversified portfolio of industry leading technologies that touch many markets.

 

Effective May 16, 2008, CUI Global, Inc. formed a wholly owned subsidiary, Waytronx Holdings, Inc., to acquire the assets of CUI, Inc., a Tualatin, Oregon based provider of electronic components including power supplies, transformers, converters, connectors and industrial controls for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). The wholly owned subsidiary was renamed CUI, Inc. following the close of the acquisition. Through the acquisition of CUI, Inc., the Company obtained 352,589 common shares (representing a 11.54% interest at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively) in Test Products International, Inc., a provider of handheld test and measurement equipment. Since its inception in 1989, CUI has been delivering quality products, extensive application solutions and superior personal service. CUI's solid customer commitment and honest corporate message are a hallmark in the industry.

 

Through CUI’s capabilities and extensive contacts throughout Asia, this acquisition allows CUI Global to continue to identify, acquire and commercialize new proprietary technologies. CUI Global will use CUI’s market partners and global distribution capabilities to bring other products to market, including the Digital Power Modules, GASPT2 and other proprietary devices, described below. CUI’s testing and R&D capabilities allow CUI Global to commercialize and prototype its products more efficiently and economically.

 

CUI defines its products into three categories: electronic components including connectors, speakers, buzzers and control solutions including encoders and sensors; power solutions known as V-Infinity and test and measurement including the Vergence GasPT2 . These offerings provide a technology architecture that addresses power and related accessories as well as test and measurement capabilities to industries ranging from consumer electronics to defense and alternative energy.

 

In July 2009 CUI Global acquired, as a wholly owned subsidiary, Comex Instruments, Ltd., now known as CUI Japan and 49% of Comex Electronics, Ltd. Both companies are Japanese based providers of electronic components. Effective July 1, 2011, CUI Global entered into an agreement to convey its 49% ownership interest in Comex Electronics to the owners of the remaining 51% who are the original founders and were the original owners of Comex Instruments, for $617,975 in the form of a five year note receivable bearing interest at 4% per annum. The operations of CUI Japan are not affected by this divestment.