Powerchip accelerates shift to non-DRAM field, says new chair

Josephine Lien, Taipei; Jessie Shen, DIGITIMES [Tuesday 13 November 2012]

Powerchip Technology has stepped up its efforts to transform into a foundry chipmaker focused on non-PC DRAM products, according to newly-appointed chairman Steve Chen.

Meanwhile, Powerchip's planned sale of its P3 plant will be in line with the interests of the company and its shareholders, said Chen. Powerchip is evaluating potential buyers, and has not made a final determination, Chen indicated.

Powerchip will also fully cooperate with its creditor banks with respect to the fab sale, Chen noted.

P3 is one of Powerchip's 12-inch plants, dedicated to producing only commodity DRAM chips used in PCs. Due to weak PC demand, the P3 facility has suffered losses, Chen revealed.

Powerchip's P1 and P2 plants are focused on the production of non-memory ICs on a contract basis, as well as the manufacture of specialty DRAM and other niche-market memory chips, Chen said. Operations at both facilities have remained profitable, Chen added.