Toshiba, SanDisk to open 3rd joint flash memory factory in Japan

sources: Chinanewtech.com    15/7/2010 17:25:36

TOKYO -- Toshiba Corp., Japan's biggest memory-chipmaker, said it started construction of a new flash-memory plant, which it will operate with SanDisk Corp. of the U.S., the companies' third in Japan. Production at the plant is scheduled to start in the second half of next year, SanDisk Chief Executive Officer Eli Harari said Wednesday at a press conference in Yokkaichi, central Japan, where the factory is located.

The plant will be constructed in two phases and the pace of investment will reflect changes in the market, Tokyo-based Toshiba said in a statement. Construction of the first phase started Wednesday and is scheduled to be completed in spring of 2011, the statement said.

The companies didn't give details on the amount of the investment in the plant. It's expected to employ as many as 800 people, Kiyoshi Kobayashi, the head of Toshiba's chip business, told reporters at a briefing.