Winbond Electronics, which intends to transform itself into a niche memory specialist, has announced January sales grew 7.2% on month to NT$2.36 billion (US$74 million). Meanwhile, sales at mask ROM and NOR flash memory maker Macronix International Company (MXIC) stayed almost flat sequentially at NT$2.23 billion.
Winbond said NOR flash orders for LCD TV, networking, optical disc drive (ODD) and set-top box (STB) applications have grown substantially, and show no sign of a seasonal drop in demand. Winbond now produces NOR flash on 90nm at its 12-inch wafer fab, according to the company, adding that it is positive on the outlook for NOR flash this year.
In addition, Winbond said it will begin to manufacture 65nm GDDR5 chips for Elpida Memory in the second quarter, and also produce its own on 70nm.
Winbond also indicated it has ordered immersion equipment for process advancement, but is concerned that extended delivery lead times for the key production tool may interrupt its schedule to ramp DRAM production using 40nm-class technology.
Macronix was quoted in previous reports saying revenues are estimated at NT$6.1-6.3 billion in the first quarter, when the company's overall utilization rate averages 90-95%. It saw January sales remain similar to last month's levels, but jump 78% on an annual basis.
Macronix has estimated the sales ratio between its NOR flash segment and mask ROM at 70:30 currently. It saw revenues from NOR flash surpass those from ROM products for the first time in 2009.