Elpida leads wafer testing venture

Elpida Memory Inc. has linked with Advantest, Kingston Technology and Powertech Technology to form a start-up that the group says will become the world's largest wafer testing service.

The new company, to be called "Tera Probe," is expected to begin operations on 1 October 2005.

Hiroshima Elpida Memory, a wholly owned subsidiary of Elpida, and other semiconductor companies will use the new venture for wafer testing for their DRAM products.

Elpida Memory will control 33 per cent of Tera Probe Iinc. with Advantest Corporation having a 17 percent stake, Kingston Technology Japan LLC 26.8 percent, with the remaining 23.2 percent controlled by Powertech Technology Inc.

Initially the company will have 300 employees at sites in Higashi Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture and Sagamihara, Kanagawa Perfecture.

The company will initially be capitalized at Yen 5.6 billion (about $50 million). Though yet to be confirmed, the company is likely to be headed by Masahide Ozawa.

- John Walko

EE Times