Toshiba Corp has announced that it will dramatically increase production of NAND-Flash memory chips over the next two years. The move comes after recent reports of supply shortages of the chips – which are used in devices such as digital cameras and personal digital assistants.
It plans to increase monthly production of Flash chips from tens of thousands to around 1.8 million a month. The company will make 16Mb and 32Mb chips but plans to concentrate on 64Mb and 128Mb chips. The chips will be made at Toshiba’s plants in Japan and at its Dominion Semiconductor LLC venture in Manassas, Virginia.
Over time, the company plans to produce more Flash memory chips than DRAM chips. According to Nikkei Microdevices, DRAMs currently represent 50% of wafers produced at Toshiba’s Yokkaichi, Japan fab.
