The biginning of the main content.

Top  >  About Sony Group  >  Sony Corp. Info  >  Press Releases  >  Recent Press Releases
Corporate InformationInvestor RelationsCorporate Social ResponsibilityJobs
Sony Corp. Info
Corporate Data
Organization Data
Executives
Press Releases
2008
2007
2006
Archives
Financial Highlights
Affiliated Companies
Access & Map
Sony Design
History
Procurement Activities
SonyCorp.Info SiteMap
The following information is true and accurate at the time of publication.
February 20, 2008
Toshiba, Sony, and SCEI outline new joint venture for manufacturing high-performance semiconductors
Toshiba Corporation
Sony Corporation
Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Tokyo, Japan, February 20, 2008--Toshiba Corporation (Toshiba), Sony Corporation (Sony) and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) today announced that they have signed a definitive agreement to form a new joint venture among the companies for the production of high-performance semiconductors, including products for SCEI's PlayStation computer entertainment systems. Toshiba, Sony and SCEI started discussing the possibility of entering into a joint venture last year, and today's agreement follows an October 18, 2007 memorandum of understanding between the parties.
Under the terms of the definitive agreement, the joint venture, to be named at a later date, will start operation from April 1, 2008 in Nagasaki Technology Center of Sony Semiconductor Kyushu Corporation (SCK). It will be 60% owned by Toshiba, and Sony and SCEI will each take a 20% stake. Within the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008, Toshiba will acquire from Sony and SCK for approximately 90 billion yen, the 300mm wafer line installed in SCK's Nagasaki Technology Center Fab2, with the exception of some equipment, and plans to make it available to the joint venture at the start of operation. Details of the operation including administrative and operation organization will be finalized by the start-up date.
Semiconductors to be manufactured by the joint venture include the "Cell Broadband Engine™" (Cell/B.E.) processor, the "RSX" graphics engine and other high-performance semiconductors for Sony Group, as well as Toshiba's leading edge SoCs (System on Chip) for applications in digital consumer products. Manufacturing will start with 65nm process, and the joint venture will promote migration to 45nm process mass production, in cooperation with Toshiba's system LSI manufacturing operation in Oita, while also working to achieve advances in manufacturing technologies and efficiencies.
 top
Outline of Joint Venture
Company name: To be determined (at a later date)
Start of Operation: April 1, 2008 (scheduled)
Location: 6-30 Tsukuba-machi, Isahaya-city, Nagasaki, Japan
Capitalization: 100 million yen
Ownership: 60% Toshiba, 20% Sony, 20% SCEI
Representation: To be determined (Chairman and CEO to be appointed by Toshiba, President and COO to be appointed by Sony)
Business: Manufacture of high-performance semiconductors, including Cell/B.E., RSX graphic engine, and Toshiba's leading edge SoCs for applications in digital consumer products.
 top

The end of the main content.