Spansion Inc. (CODE)

[elephant]

Macronix seeking partnership for 12-inch fab

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Josephine Lien, Taipei; Jessie Shen, DIGITIMES [Friday 12 June 2009]

Taiwan's Macronix International, a mask ROM and NOR flash chipmaker, is looking to forge a partnership with a foundry to help complete its 12-inch fab plan, according to company chairman Miin Wu.

Macronix originally planned to construct its own 12-inch wafer fab starting in the second half of 2009, while recognizing customer needs over the next 3-5 years. However, Macronix now favors the alternative of building a foundry via some form of partnership to complete the 300mm facility that will initially output 10,000-20,000 wafers per month, said Wu.

Macronix has resumed its 12-inch fab plan in preparation of an expected recovery in end-market demand, Wu indicated, adding that investment amid difficult times will help the company's growth as long as demand picks up.

In addition, Wu confirmed that Spansion's insolvency filing has allowed Macronix to add new NOR flash customers and the company has seen a substantial contribution from the orders. Macronix's revenue and gross margin performance in the second quarter is likely to outperform its guidance, according to Wu. Macronix posted on-year revenue growth for the fourth straight month in May 2009.

Wu has voiced a cautiously optimistic outlook for the third quarter, as Macronix' order visibility has only extended to July.

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