Not sure what to make of this press release, and if this will in any way affect Panasonic’s digital still camera business going forward.
Panasonic semiconductor business includes Image Sensors for Broadcasting and Digital Still Camera and provide the following benefits:
| 1 | Clear images under low illuminance | |
| 2 | Uniformed Images | |
| 3 | Bright images in backlight conditions | |
| 4 | Capture the moment | |
| 5 | Detecting invisible objects |
- Supports 4K broadcasting format.
Now the Panasonic Semiconductor Solutions Co., Ltd. is newly named “Nuvoton Technology Corporation Japan”
Therefore the above image sensors are now listed as Discontinued Products on the Panasonic Industrial Devices and Solutions site at https://industrial.panasonic.com/ww/products/semiconductors
The following video presents Nuvoton Technology to buy Panasonic chip unit for NT$7.6 billion:
“Taiwanese tech firm Nuvoton Technology says it will buy Panasonic’s loss-making semiconductor division for NT$7.6 billion. The sale, if it is approved, is expected to close by next June. Nuvoton said the acquisition will help it develop in the automotive semiconductor sector. It said there are no plans for layoffs after the acquisition. A spokeswoman has confirmed that Nuvoton will acquire the chip division of the Japanese conglomerate Panasonic. Nuvoton plans to leverage Japanese production lines to enter the automotive semiconductor sector. It has several main product lines. The first is image sensors. The second is MCU, or microcontroller technology. The third is semiconductor components. Panasonic decided to exit the semiconductor market after years of struggling to lift its bottom line. It’s divested its last chip business to Nuvoton, a Winbond subsidiary that’s been in the industry for more than 10 years. Jessica Huang, Nuvoton Technology spokeswoman, says “We expect to gain from the synergy created by this acquisition. First, the products of Panasonic Semiconductor Solutions and Nuvoton’s existing products do not conflict. Second, this acquisition can help Nuvoton expand its global sales channels and to expand its customer base in Japan.” Nuvoton will pay NT$7.6 billion for the unit. The transaction is expected to be completed by June 2020. The Taiwan firm announced it would not lay off Panasonic’s 2,000-plus employees. It said that Panasonic’s factories for 6-inch and 8-inch wafers complemented its plans and that it looked forward to a bright shared future.”
PRESS RELEASE
September 1, 2020
Panasonic Completes Transfer of Its Semiconductor Business
Osaka, Japan – Panasonic Corporation today announced that it has completed the previously announced transfer of its semiconductor business to Nuvoton Technology Corporation, a Taiwan-based semiconductor company under the umbrella of Winbond Electronics Corporation group, following the receipt of regulatory approvals.
Panasonic announced on November 28, 2019 the transfer of its semiconductor business mainly operated by Panasonic Semiconductor Solutions Co., Ltd. (PSCS).
Panasonic and Nuvoton have since been collaboratively pursuing antitrust clearance and other customary regulatory approvals from the competent authorities, with a target effective date of June 1, 2020. However, the closing date was postponed due largely to the COVID-19-induced delay in clearance processes. Now the transaction is successfully completed with all the necessary approvals obtained.
Restructuring of the semiconductor business, announced along with the transfer, has already been completed prior to the transaction.
Going forward, Panasonic remains committed to focusing on its B-to-B business. In the industrial solutions business, the company has identified “Automotive CASE,” “Information Network Infrastructure” and “Automation/Labor-savings” as three key areas of focus to deliver innovative products that meet the customers’ needs and further develop the business globally.
The full-year earnings forecast will remain unchanged as the financial impact of the transfer has already been factored into the projection. Following the completion of the transfer, PSCS will be renamed as Nuvoton Technology Corporation Japan.