Seoul, Korea, September 21, 2000 – Hyundai Electronics Industries Co., Ltd., the world’s leading DRAM manufacturer, is boosting its non-DRAM memory business with an increased emphasis on mobile telecommunications products such as static random access memory (SRAM) and flash memory chips. By diversifying its product portfolio for memory chips, Hyundai is achieving a healthier balance between the development of DRAM and non-DRAM products. Through an increased focus on non-DRAM chips, Hyundai is minimizing its exposure to risk resulting from fluctuation of the DRAM market while at the same time maximizing its profit potential. As a result of last year’s merger with LG Semicon, Hyundai now has the world’s largest semiconductor manufacturing facility, as well as an abundance of highly qualified research and development (R&D) engineers. With these resources, Hyundai is strongly positioned to meet customer needs for timely delivery of memory products. Given its resources, combined with the rapid growth of the mobile telecommunications market, Hyundai expects to become the leading manufacturer of SRAM and flash memory chips. Hyundai currently produces all types of SRAM devices for mobile handsets and is the market leader in production of low-power,1.8-voltage chips, which are expected to be the major product in the SRAM market. To date, Hyundai has increased its sales of SRAM memory chips by 300 percent, as compared to the same period of time last year. Hyundai is now focusing its R&D, manufacturing, and sales capacity in an effort to achieve a 500 percent increase in total SRAM sales by end of this year. Since the worldwide mobile telephone market is estimated to reach 400 million units this year, up from 283 million units last year, Hyundai should easily be able to achieve its SRAM business sales goal. In addition, Hyundai is reducing its manufacturing costs through the continuous shrinking of die size and improving yield in order to maximize its profits. Furthermore, in an effort to meet the evolving needs of the mobile telecommunications market, the company is diversifying its SRAM business through development of synchronous SRAM products for use in telecommunications equipment. This year, the current demand for 5-volt flash memories has far surpassed the available supply. However, given that 90 percent of flash memory manufacturing processes are similar to those of DRAM memory, having the world’s largest DRAM fab and R&D staffs gives Hyundai excellent competitive strength and potential in the flash memory market. The company is already addressing many customer requirements with a product line of up to 5-volt flash memories ranging from 2M to 8M. In response to the market trend for even lower-voltage products, Hyundai is also initiating volume production of 3-volt and 2-volt flash memories. Hyundai is now ready to enter the application market by introducing all types of code flash memories. The company expects its flash memory sales will reach $600 million (US dollars) next year, a four-fold increase over this year. In addition, the flash memory sector has its own research and development center and marketing division located at Hyundai Electronics America. Strategically situated in the heart of California’s Silicon Valley, this location provides the close access that is critical to understanding customer needs and acquiring advanced technology. Based on these sound plans to boost its non-DRAM memory business, Hyundai is expected to lead the world market in memory chips not only in the DRAM arena, but also in the market segments for SRAM and flash memory chips.
– Hyundai Electronics, the world’s leading DRAM manufacturer, is boosting its non-DRAM memory business with an increased emphasis on mobile telecommunications products such as static random access memory (SRAM) and flash memory chips.
