Taiwan-based ProMOS Technologies, once primarily known for its commodity DRAM for desktop PCs and notebooks, is devoting considerable efforts in its pursuit of product diversification for sustainable growth. The ratio of non-PC related products to its total capacity has climbed to more than 20%, according to company chairman and president ML Chen.
ProMOS has expanded its product portfolio to include mobile RAM and niche-market memory chips as part of a shift to focus on demand for mobile consumer electronics devices such as smartphones and tablets.
Faced with stagnant sales of conventional computers, ProMOS is heading toward diversification, Chen said. In addition to enhancing its mobile memory lineup to ride the current wave of tablets, ProMOS has expanded its foundry business to include small-size display driver ICs, Chen indicated.
ProMOS recently announced a joint development deal with Silterra Malaysia, under which Silterra will bring its 0.13- and 0.11-micron High-Voltage (HV) process technology for small-panel LCD driver IC applications to ProMOS's 12-inch fabrication facilities in Taichung, Taiwan. The technology is now in the pilot-run stage ready for customer tape-outs, and is on track for mass production starting the fourth quarter of 2011.
Chen also reiterated that ProMOS's DRAM partnership with Elpida Memory remains unchanged. ProMOS manufactures PC DRAM chips for Elpida on an OEM basis while Elpida provides it with required process technologies.
ProMOS runs a 12-inch wafer fab at the Central Taiwan Science Park (CTSP) with monthly capacity of about 60,000 units.
In addition, Chen claimed that ProMOS currently will not consider restructuring its business, in response to recent speculation that the company is struggling with severe financial problems.
ProMOS now has outstanding loans of NT$57.2 billion (US$2 billion)。