TOSHIBA AND SANDISK CELEBRATE THE OPENING OF FAB 5 300MM NAND FLASH MEMORY FABRICATION FACILITY IN JAPAN
Yokkaichi, Mie, Japan, July
12, 2011 - 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).