Toshiba, Sony and Sony Semiconductor Kyushu (SCK) have signed a deal for the transfer of certain semiconductor fabrication equipment from Toshiba to SCK.
The move is based on the non-binding memorandum of understanding signed on 24 December 2010 between Toshiba and Sony.
The equipment to be transferred from Toshiba to SCK is semiconductor fabrication equipment located at SCK’s Nagasaki Technology Center operated by Nagasaki Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (NSM), which is a joint venture among Toshiba, Sony and Sony Computer Entertainment (SCEI).
The purchase price for this equipment is 53bn yen ($648m)
The closing for this transfer is planned for 1 April 2011, subject to the receipt of any necessary government approvals.
Toshiba, Sony and SCEI plan to terminate their NSM joint venture relationship after the execution of the transfer, said Toshiba.
The company said by carrying out this transfer, Toshiba aims to pursue an asset light business model for its system LSI business, while Sony’s goal is to further strengthen its production capacity for CMOS image sensors and expand its CMOS image sensor business.
