Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO:6502) and SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK) today celebrated the opening of Fab 5, the third 300mm wafer NAND fabrication facility at Toshiba's Yokkaichi Operations in Mie Prefecture, Japan.
Consumer demand for smartphones, tablets and other electronic devices continues to fuel strong global demand for NAND flash memory. Toshiba began the construction of Fab 5 in July 2010, and the new facility, equipped with manufacturing equipment funded by Toshiba and SanDisk, started volume production in July 2011. Fab 5 currently uses 24 nanometer (nm)* process technology and its first wafer outs will be in August. In time, the fab will transition to more advanced process generations, starting with recently announced 19nm technology, the world's smallest, most advanced process node.
Fab 5 incorporates advanced earthquake-absorbing structures and integrates multiple power compensation techniques for protection against unexpected disruptions. LED lighting and power-saving manufacturing equipment will support the fab in securing Toshiba's goal of 12 percent less CO2 emissions than Fab 4. A wafer transportation system links the facility with Fabs 3 and 4 to support efficient manufacturing.
Flash Forward, Ltd., a joint venture between Toshiba and SanDisk established in September 2010 (50.1 percent owned by Toshiba and 49.9 percent by SanDisk), funded the advanced manufacturing equipment within the fab.
* Note: 1 nanometer = one billionth of a meter
Outline of Fab 5 at Yokkaichi Operations | |||
Structure of building: | 2-Story steel frame concrete, five floors | ||
Building area: | Approximately 38,000m2 | ||
Floor area: | Approximately 187,000m2 | ||
Start of construction: | July 2010 | ||
Building completion: | March 2011 | ||
Start of volume production: | July 2011 | ||
Outline of Toshiba's Yokkaichi Operations | |||
Location: | 800 Yamanoisshiki-cho, Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture | ||
Established: | January 1992 | ||
General Manager: | Koji Sato | ||
Employees: | Approximately 4,400 | ||
(as of end of March 2011, regular employees only for Toshiba) | |||
Total site area: | Approximately 436,800m2 | ||
Total floor area: | Approximately 647,000m2 | ||
Outline of Flash Forward, Ltd. | |||
Location: | 800 Yamanoisshiki-cho, Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture | ||
Established: | September 2010 | ||
President and CEO: | Hideyuki Kobayashi | ||
Holding: | Toshiba: 50.1%, SanDisk: 49.9% | ||
SanDisk's operations in Yokkaichi include more than 300 employees under the leadership of SanDisk Japan President and General Manager, Dr. Atsuyoshi Koike.
About Toshiba
Toshiba is a world leader and innovator in pioneering high technology, a diversified manufacturer and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products spanning digital consumer products; electronic devices and components; power systems, including nuclear energy; industrial and social infrastructure systems; and home appliances. Toshiba was founded in 1875, and today operates a global network of more than 490 companies, with 203,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing 6.3 trillion yen (US$77 billion). Visit Toshiba's web site at www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm.
About SanDisk
SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK) is a global leader in flash memory storage solutions, from research and development, product design and manufacturing to branding and distribution for OEM and retail channels. Since 1988, SanDisk's innovations in flash memory and storage system technologies have provided customers with new and transformational digital experiences. SanDisk's diverse product portfolio includes flash memory cards and embedded solutions used in smart phones, tablets, digital cameras, camcorders, digital media players and other consumer electronic devices, as well as USB flash drives and solid-state drives (SSD) for the computing market. SanDisk's products are used by consumers and enterprise customers around the world.
SanDisk is a Silicon Valley-based S&P 500 and Fortune 500 company, with more than half its sales outside the United States. For more information, visit www.sandisk.com.
TOSHIBA DISCLAIMER
This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning future plans, strategies and the performance of Toshiba Group. These statements are based on management's assumptions and beliefs in light of the economic, financial and other data currently available. Furthermore, they are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Toshiba therefore wishes to caution readers that actual results might differ materially from our expectations. Major risk factors that may have a material influence on results are indicated below, though this list is not necessarily exhaustive.
- Major disasters, including earthquakes and typhoons;
- Disputes, including lawsuits, in Japan and other countries;
- Success or failure of alliances or joint ventures promoted in collaboration with other companies;
- Success or failure of new businesses or R&D investment;
- Changes in political and economic conditions in Japan and abroad; unexpected regulatory changes;
- Rapid changes in the supply and demand situation in major markets and intensified price competition;
- Significant capital expenditure for production facilities and rapid changes in the market;
- Changes in financial markets, including fluctuations in interest rates and exchange rates.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS BY SANDISK
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements from SanDisk, including statements about SanDisk's business prospects and outlook, including expected flash memory demand in 2011 and beyond and technology transitions in 2011, that are based on SanDisk's current expectations and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that may cause these forward-looking statements to be inaccurate. Risks that may cause these forward-looking statements to be inaccurate include among others: less than anticipated demand, including due to economic weakness in SanDisk's markets; unpredictable or changing demand for SanDisk's products, particularly for certain form factors or capacities; unexpected difficulties or delays in developing, manufacturing with acceptable yields, or ramping, new technologies such as 19-nanometer; and other risks detailed from time-to-time in SanDisk's Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports, including, but not limited to, SanDisk's most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q and annual report on Form 10-K.
SanDisk does not intend to update the information contained in this release.
SanDisk and the SanDisk logo are trademarks of SanDisk Corporation, registered in the United States and other countries. Other brand names mentioned herein are for identification purposes only and may be the trademarks of their respective holder(s).
Toshiba Corporation
Corporate Communications Office, +81-3-3457-2105
http://www.toshiba.co.jp/contact/media.htm
or
SanDisk
Corporation
Mike Wong, +1-408-801-1240 (Media)
mike.wong@sandisk.com
Jay
Iyer, +1-408-801-2067 (Investors)
jay.iyer@sandisk.com