Fujitsu and Panasonic to Combine Semiconductor Units

Fujitsu Limited and Panasonic Corporation agreed to combine their semiconductor businesses into a new company with a fabless business model.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) envisions a new integrated company that focuses on key fields, including LSI devices for high-performance servers and networks in cloud infrastructure, visual and imaging solutions (next-generation DTV, applications for image recognition, etc.), and wireless solutions (mobile and extremely low-power wireless connectivity solutions that support ubiquitous networks).

Fujitsu and Panasonic will have the backing of third party investors, including Development Bank of Japan.

Fujitsu and Panasonic said bringing together their respective advanced technologies and customer bases is vital to build a competitive business globally. Specifically, the plan would consolidate the design and development functions of the system LSI businesses of Panasonic and Fujitsu Semiconductor.

http://www.fujitsu.com/global/news/pr/archives/month/2013/20130207-05.html