Fairchild Semiconductor has entered a five-year foundry agreement with China-based Jilin Sino-Microelectronics (JSMC) for the manufacture, by JSMC, of low-end MOSFETs (metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors) and bipolar power products.
JSMC will utilize its recently completed fab in Jilin, China, using technologies and equipment transferred by Fairchild, JSMC said in a filing with the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Fairchild will give away the equipment transferred to JSMC after the agreement expires.
Fairchild said in a press release that the move complements Fairchild’s strategy of increasing the in-house manufacturing of its top-line power products. In February, the company announced that it is building an 8-inch fab in Pennsylvania dedicated to producing power ICs, and that it is ramping its China-based IC packaging and testing plant.
Fairchild plans to increase wafer capacity for advanced power-IC production by 31%, while reducing capacity for older process technology by 17% this year, the company said in an October 14 webcast for its third-quarter results.
“Our focus is to support customer demand by responding quickly to their requirements. Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region globally, and this agreement with Jilin Sino-Microelectronics enhances our ability to deliver products locally, quickly and cost effectively,” said Kirk Pond, president, CEO and chairman with Fairchild.
Article translated by Jack Lu and edited by Jack Lu
