Tuesday, 11 December 2007

Fujitsu Microelectronics Strengthens R&D in West China

Fujitsu Electronic Devices Group Asia (EDGA) has announced a majority investment in Chengdu West Star Chips Co., Ltd. to boost its research and development (R&D) capabilities in Chengdu, West China.

With Fujitsu as a majority shareholder, West Star will be mainly engaged in research and design development of semiconductor devices for digital audio and video, microcontrollers and analog products. It will also help to further enhance and deepen the integration of Fujitsu’s advanced and mature technologies.

The alliance is said to further strengthen Fujitsu’s R&D capabilities in China and effectively address its local customers’ needs.

Becoming an important R&D partner of Fujitsu, West Star is said to benefit from the injection of Fujitsu’s expertise in advanced semiconductor technologies, manufacturing, sales and marketing, and logistics management. It will also be able to capitalise on Fujitsu’s existing distribution network.

With the collaboration, West Star will continue to enhance Fujitsu’s offerings in multimedia imaging technology. In addition, it will also integrate Fujitsu’s strong technical experience in microcontrollers and power management ICs.

“Fujitsu has always been seeking projects that can coordinate with new developments in Central and Western China. At present, many cities in Central and Western China including Chengdu are expected to become important strongholds for multinationals as well as famous domestic and overseas enterprises in their global strategic plans. West Star in the future will become Fujitsu's most important R&D partner in Central and Western China, and the products it develops will also become a critical part of Fujitsu’s comprehensive digital multimedia, microcontroller and analog product solutions. Fujitsu will keep strengthening its investment and market development in China mainland based on that.” said Michael Shih, Chairman and CEO of Fujitsu Electronic Devices Group Asia.

As part of expansion plans derived from this investment, West Star has relocated to new premises to accommodate the expected expansion of its R&D team by over 300 engineers in the next three years.