Toshiba, Sony, and SCEI Sign a Memorandum of Understanding Establishing a Joint Venture to Strengthen Manufacturing Capabilities for High-Performance Semiconductors



    Toshiba Corporation, together with Sony Corporation and Sony
    Computer Entertainment Inc. (Sony Group) today announced that they
    have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding expressing their
    intent to establish a joint venture that will produce high-performance
    semiconductors, including the 'Cell Broadband Engine(TM)' (Cell/B.E.)
    and the 'RSX' graphics engine, and to transfer to Toshiba from Sony
    Group the 300mm wafer line fabrication facilities installed in Fab 2
    of Sony Semiconductor Kyushu Corporation's Nagasaki Technology Center
    (SKC) by the end of March 2008. Following the transfer, production on
    the line will be operated by the joint venture. Subject to receipt of
    any necessary government approval and after further due diligence,
    Toshiba and Sony Group will aim to finalize the definitive agreements
    as soon as possible before the end of March 2008.

    This collaboration will allow Toshiba to expand and enhance its
    system LSI business by increasing order volume and securing regular
    orders of high-performance semiconductors for PlayStation, while Sony
    Group will aim for the further growth of the PlayStation business by
    achieving process migration of high-performance semiconductors.

    Toshiba and Sony Group have forged a solid partnership in the
    development and production of high-performance semiconductors for game
    consoles, including PLAYSTATION(R)3. The new joint venture will
    further build on this record of achievement by utilizing the 300mm
    wafer line fabrication facilities that Toshiba will acquire from Sony
    Group, where most production will focus on 65nm process
    semiconductors. Toshiba and Sony Group will together promote further
    advances in manufacturing technologies and efficiencies by leveraging
    their knowledge and experience, targeting migration to 45nm process
    mass production.

    Concurrently, Toshiba and Sony Group also signed a non-binding
    memorandum of understanding on the transfer to Toshiba of the assets
    of Sony Group on the March 2008 expiry of Oita TS Semiconductor
    Corporation (OTSS) joint venture between Toshiba and Sony Group.
    Located within Toshiba's Oita Operations semiconductor plant, OTSS was
    established to manufacture semiconductors for PLAYSTATION(R)2 in 1999.
    Toshiba and Sony Group are also aiming to finalize the definitive
    agreements on the transfer to Toshiba of the assets of Sony Group in
    OTSS as soon as possible before the end of March 2008.

    Joint Venture Outline

    Company name: To be determined

    Establishment Date: April 1, 2008 (plan)

    Location: 1883-43 Tsukuba-machi, Isahaya-city, Nagasaki, Japan

    Capitalization: Approx. 100 million yen (plan)

    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.' and 'RSX' graphic engine, etc.

    Employees: To be determined

    Outline of OTSS

    Company name: Oita TS Semiconductor Corporation

    Established: June 1, 1999

    Location: 3500 Oaza Matsuoka, Oita, Oita Prefecture (in Oita
    Operations, Toshiba Corporation)

    Ownership: 51% Toshiba, 49% Sony

    Business: Manufacture of semiconductors for PlayStation