Global demand for 150mm operational fabs still strong

SEMICON Japan 2012, JAPAN: ATREG, Inc., a global advisory firm to the semiconductor industry headquartered in Seattle, USA, reports that the market is still showing strong demand for operational semiconductor manufacturing fabs.

ATREG, which provides semiconductor companies with objective market analysis, strategic advice, and transaction execution expertise for the merger, acquisition, and disposition of assets and business units, notes that despite the decline of long-term global production of 150mm wafers, there is still market demand for products made in these trailing-edge facilities and semiconductor companies in need of securing future manufacturing capacity for 150mm wafers should consider taking advantage of favorable market conditions to lock in long-term supply.

Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723), a premier supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions, is currently offering such an asset – its automotive-qualified, operational 150mm facility located in Ube, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan that produces multi-purpose MCUs, ASICs, flat panel display drivers, power management devices, primarily at 0.35 microns.

Renesas will provide the fab’s buyer with a substantial supply agreement for up to five years, an attractive offer for companies looking to secure long-term manufacturing capacity for trailing-edge products on less advanced technology nodes.

“The Yamaguchi fab has been very important to Renesas’ customers over the years,” explains Yutaka Emoto, executive manager, corporate planning division at Renesas. “ATREG has been our strategic advisor for several years and we are excited to find a good buyer for this world-class facility.”

“The Renesas 150mm fab is one of the most productive and highly qualified anywhere, in or out of Japan,” adds Stephen Rothrock, president and managing principal of ATREG.