Kingston Solutions (KSI), a joint venture between memory module firm Kingston Technology and flash device controller supplier Phison Electronics, has drawn investment from Toshiba.

　　Phison's board of directors has approved plans to transfer a part of its KSI stake to Toshiba, according to a November 1 company filing with the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE). Phison currently controls 48% of the JV, and Kingston holds the remaining 52%.

　　Phison plans to sell 1.1-1.4 million shares of its 12 million shares of KSI to Toshiba for an undisclosed sum. Drawing investment from Toshiba will help lower operational risk and make a positive contribution to KSI's long-term development, Phison indicated.

　　After the share transfer, Toshiba is expected to hold an about 9% stake in KSI, according to market observers. Kingston and Phison will own 47.4% and 43.5%, respectively, of the JV, the observers said.

　　Established in late 2010, KSI focuses on the sale and marketing of embedded memory products, mainly eMMC-interface NAND devices, developed and manufactured jointly by Kingston and Phison. The pair has been sourcing chips from Toshiba, and a strategic investment in KSI by Toshiba will further enhance cooperation between the companies.