Korea Electronics Acquires MOSFET Technology From Vishay Siliconix

Korea Electronics Corp. (KEC) announced that it has acquired the trench-MOSFET (metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors) chip patents and technology of Vishay Siliconix. According to KEC, the deal will make the company the first producer of trench-MOSFETs in South Korea, with the transistors being manufactured at its Gumi fab (which opened in March). The deal is said to be the cornerstone of KEC's strategy of expanding its technological portfolio by producing low-voltage MOSFET products.

KEC intends to begin volume production in July of 6-inch wafers with 0.5-micron design rules at the Gumi facility. The wafers will also be used in the production of the trench-MOSFETs and CMOS ICs. The initial strategy is for the Gumi fab to have a monthly production capacity of 5,000 6-inch wafers, with an increase in capacity to 30,000 with 0.3-micron process technology by 2010 — after a planned $105 million additional investment. The overall goal is for the company to achieve annual sales of low-voltage MOSFETs totaling $158 million by 2010.