October 24, 2007
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp (TSMC) has acquired the chip design startup Emerging Memory Technologies Inc (EMT) of Canada, according to a report in the Ottawa Citizen published in mid-October.
This is the first Canadian investment venture by TSMC, which the report referred to as the "world's largest maker of made-to-order chips for telecommunications gear, computers, and cell phones". The report also noted that TSMC is seeking to move from OEM manufacturing to providing its own design services.
EMT Chief Executive Sreedhar Natarajan would not confirm the merger, citing a disclosure agreement, but the logo on his company's offices now reads 'Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp', said the report.
EMT, formed in 2004 by Natarajan, has counted Texas Instruments, IBM, and TSMC among its past clients. The company earned sales revenues of CAD 1 million and will likely top CAD 4 million in 2007, said the report.
Analysts are forecasting that TSMC revenues will jump by 15% next year, compared to a small gain of less than 2% in 2007, which will help the company retain a steady hold on its 50% plus share in the global market for made-to-order chips, said the report.
For EMT, the new venture represents a test of whether it can help TSMC achieve its goals, noted the report.
(Ottawa Citizen, Department of Investment Services)
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