The 10 leading Japanese chipmakers including NEC Corp, Toshiba Corp, Hitachi Ltd, Fujitsu Ltd and Mitsubishi Electric Corp have established a joint venture to promote research and development of next-generation semiconductor technology. Advanced Semiconductor Technologies Inc, capitalized at $47.5m and owned equally by the 10, will conduct a $333m 10-year research project into advanced chip fabrication technologies including the evaluation of the next-generation 12 diameter silicon wafer and manufacturing equipment. It will also reduce research and development costs that would otherwise be borne by individual companies. – o – Ceridian Corp of Minneapolis will acquire, International Automated Energy Systems Inc, a Naples, Florida-based fleet management firm and member of the family-owned Barron Collier Cos which reported revenues of $1.5m last year. In mid-1995, International Automated entered an alliance with First Bank System Inc and Visa to provide the first fleet card with the national brand recognition and universal acceptance of a major purchasing card. Ceridian said its Comdata subsidiary is a provider of fuelling services for the long-haul trucking market and its Comchek fuel card is used at 8,000 truck stops where most fuel for over-the-road trucking is sold.
