Technology heavyweight Intel Corp. has joined forces alongside STMicroelectronics and Francisco Partners to form Numonyx B.V., a new semiconductor manufacturer that will apply its focus to the creation and delivery of innovative memory solutions.
Intel and STMicroelectronics officially launch Numonyx B.V. Credit: JamesThePhotographer/Flickr.
Relying on the pooled combination of leading NOR, NAND, and RAM memory technologies, as well as the integration of new Phase Change Memory (PCM), Numonyx will be looking to establish itself as the leading dedicated memory specialist for industry clients producing mobile phones, digital music players, digital cameras, ultra-mobile computer hardware, and various other tech devices.
To boost the already expansive patent portfolio available to Numonyx, Intel has delivered assets associated with its NOR flash memory business along with other assets connected to the chipmaker’s phase change memory technology in return for 45.1 percent ownership in the Switzerland-based company.
“It is rare when a company starts in such a strong position,” said Brian Harrison, CEO of Numonyx B.V. “The complementary nature of the two parent companies’ products, technologies and expertise has given us a competitive edge. We start with a comprehensive product line-up of leading technologies; dedicated capacity; already leading PCM development and delivery; a highly experienced management team and an amazing employee base of memory experts. Immediately, Numonyx is a formidable memory solutions provider.”
STMicroelectronics has acquired a stake of 48.6 percent ownership in Numonyx, while Francisco Partners has taken the remaining 6.3 percent in exchange for a $150 million USD cash investment into the venture.
Numonyx, which already has more than 7,000 employees across several international sites, will benefit hugely from the injection of over 40 years of combined industry experience from both Intel Corp. and STMicroelectronics, and also from the substantial worldwide patent selection that partnership brings with it.
“Our broad portfolio of intellectual property, patents and expertise will serve as the cornerstone for Numonyx,” continued Harrison. “We intend to build on this rich history with even more innovation.”
The unveiling of Numonyx follows hot on the heels of Intel and STMicroelectronics revealing earlier this month that the first functioning ‘Alverstone’ PCM memory prototypes are in the process of being sampled to customers. Phase change memory is set to arrive as a much speedier, more flexible and more energy efficient alternative to existing flash memory technology.
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