SK hynix completes the First Phase of Intel NAND and SSD Business Acquisition

Rhea-AI Summary

SK hynix has successfully acquired Intel's SSD business and the Dalian NAND Flash Manufacturing Facility in China for $7 billion, following clearance from China's regulatory body. The new entity will operate under the name Solidigm, headquartered in San Jose, California, with plans for a second phase acquisition valued at $2 billion to finalize the deal by March 2025. This acquisition aims to enhance SK hynix's competitive edge in NAND Flash alongside its leading DRAM business.

Positive

• Acquisition of Intel's SSD business enhances SK hynix's NAND Flash portfolio.
• Strategic move to elevate SK hynix to a global 1st tier technology company.
• Expected synergies between mobile NAND flash and enterprise SSD strengths.

Negative

• None.

• SK hynix has acquired Intel's SSD business and Dalian NAND Flash Manufacturing Facility assets in China
• The new entity will be branded "Solidigm"
• With the synergy of the combined business portfolio, SK hynix aims to become global 1^st tier technology company.

SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SK hynix Inc. (or 'the Company', www.skhynix.com) today announced that it has completed the first phase of the transaction to acquire Intel's NAND and solid-state drive (SSD) business. Following the recent merger clearance from China's State Administration for Market Regulation on Dec. 22, SK hynix closed the first phase of the transaction by acquiring Intel's SSD business and the Dalian NAND flash manufacturing facility in China. In exchange, SK hynix will pay US $7 billion in consideration.

In the second phase of the transaction, SK hynix will acquire from Intel the remaining assets in relation to its NAND business, including IP related to the manufacture and design of NAND flash wafers, R&D employees for NAND flash wafers, the Dalian facility workforce, and the other associated tangible / intangible assets. Closing of the second phase is expected to occur in or after March 2025 with the remaining payment of US $2 billion, which will complete the entire deal.

The newly established U.S subsidiary, which will manage the newly acquired SSD business, will be known as "Solidigm" (www.solidigmtechnology.com). This name reflects Solidigm's commitment to creating a new solid-state paradigm that provides unmatched customer service and revolutionizes the memory storage industry.

Solidigm will be headquartered in San Jose, California, and manage product development, manufacturing, and sales of the newly acquired SSD business, which was formerly operated by Intel. Lee Seok-hee, president and co-CEO of SK hynix will be appointed executive chairman of Solidigm, who will lead the post-merger integration processes after the 1^st closing. Rob Crooke, former senior vice president of Intel will be appointed CEO of Solidigm.

SK hynix, Solidigm, and Intel will cooperate with each other for a successful final close of the deal.

SK hynix sees the opportunity to greatly enhance its NAND Flash business competitiveness to the level of its world-leading DRAM business, as SK hynix excels in mobile NAND flash while Solidigm shows industry-leading strengths in enterprise SSDs (eSSDs). SK hynix will be able to take advantage of the synergy of the combined business portfolio.

Park Jung-ho, vice chairman and co-CEO of SK hynix said, "My heartfelt welcome to the Solidigm team members who are joining our family. This acquisition will present a paradigm shifting moment for SK hynix's NAND flash business to enter the global top tier level. With this acquisition, SK hynix will be one step further in its path towards global 1^st tier technology company."

"Solidigm is poised to be the world's next big semiconductor company, which presents an unprecedented opportunity to reinvent the data memory and storage industry," said Crooke. "We are steadfast in our commitment to lead the data industry in a way that can truly fuel human advancement."

About SK hynix Inc.

SK hynix Inc., headquartered in Korea, is the world's top tier semiconductor supplier offering Dynamic Random Access Memory chips ("DRAM"), Flash memory chips ("NAND Flash") and CMOS Image Sensors ("CIS") for a wide range of distinguished customers globally. The Company's shares are traded on the Korea Exchange, and the Global Depository shares are listed on the Luxemburg Stock Exchange. Further information about SK hynix is available at www.skhynix.com, news.skhynix.com.

About Solidigm

Solidigm is a leading global provider of innovative NAND flash memory solutions. Solidigm technology unlocks data's unlimited potential for customers, enabling them to fuel human advancement. Born of the combination of Intel's longstanding innovation in memory products and SK hynix's international leadership and scale in the semiconductor industry, Solidigm became a standalone U.S. subsidiary under SK hynix in December 2021. Headquartered in San Jose, CA, Solidigm is powered by the inventiveness of close to 2,000 employees in 20 locations around the world. For more information about Solidigm, please visit www.solidigmtechnology.com.

About Intel

Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) is an industry leader, creating world-changing technology that enables global progress and enriches lives. Inspired by Moore's Law, we continuously work to advance the design and manufacturing of semiconductors to help address our customers' greatest challenges. By embedding intelligence in the cloud, network, edge and every kind of computing device, we unleash the potential of data to transform business and society for the better. To learn more about Intel's innovations, go to newsroom.intel.com and intel.com.

© Intel Corporation. Intel, the Intel logo and other Intel marks are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries. Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

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SOURCE SK hynix Inc.

FAQ

What is the significance of SK hynix acquiring Intel's SSD business?

The acquisition strengthens SK hynix's position in the NAND Flash market and enhances its competitiveness in the semiconductor industry.

How much did SK hynix pay for Intel's SSD business?

SK hynix paid $7 billion for the first phase and will pay an additional $2 billion in the second phase.

When will the second phase of the Intel NAND business acquisition close?

The second phase is expected to close in or after March 2025.

What will the new entity, Solidigm, focus on?

Solidigm will manage product development, manufacturing, and sales of the newly acquired SSD business.