1998/11/30
SAN JOSE, Calif. - November 30, 1998 - In a move to increase its technologic competitiveness, Nanya Technology Corporation today announced that it has signed a strategic alliance agreement with IBM Microelectronics to cross license IBM's DRAM technology. IBM will also guarantee to purchase a significant portion of Nanya DRAM production capability to augment its supply of memory semiconductors.
Under the terms of the three-year agreement Nanya will obtain IBM's DRAM-process technology in three linewidth geometries from 0.25- to 0.18 micron. Nanya will also receive product designs with IBM in 64-, 128-, and 256-Megabit DRAM, SRAM, and other advanced technologies. Nanya currently develops memory products for the wireless, networking, computing, and multimedia markets.
"This alliance is key to Nanya's commitment to being a global DRAM supplier with state-of-the-art technology," said Ken Hurley, vice president and general manager, Nanya Technology Corporation USA. "IBM's technology is recognized as being on the leading edge of all memory manufacturers. The combination of IBM's technology and Nanya's manufacturing strengths enable Nanya to establish a strong position in the world market for memory ICs."
"Receiving this technology from IBM allows us to deploy Nanya's engineering resources in other areas such as logic and other non-DRAM technologies," said Dr. Jih Lien, executive vice president of research and development, Nanya Technology in Taoyuan, Taiwan.
IBM will gain a dedicated source for DRAM chips through the alliance with Nanya. "Nanya will manufacture finished DRAM product for IBM Microelectronics for private label sales," said Charles Kau, executive vice president of operations and manufacturing, Nanya Technology, Taiwan.
As part of the agreement Nanya will also provide product support to IBM.
More information about Nanya Technology Corporation: Nanya Technology Corporation is a leading provider of advanced DRAM products and state-of-the-art semiconductor foundry services. Based in Taoyuan, Taiwan, Nanya Technology was founded in March of 1995 and semiconductor production started in May of 1996. A second fab is currently under construction in the Linkao High Tech Industrial Park in Linkao, Taiwan. The company's San Jose, California location provides support to its U.S. customers. Nanya Technology is backed financially by Taiwan's largest industrial group, Formosa Plastics Group.