Toshiba to buy SanDisk?

Earlier this month, a report had Samsung interested in buying portable flash memory maker SanDisk, and today’s rumors have another suitor considering making a bid for the company. A newswire reports Toshiba is the latest interested party, and is only considering a bid in order to prevent competitor Samsung from taking over SanDisk, thus creating a near monopoly as the sole supplier of NAND flash memory devices, components and subsystems.

SanDisk and Toshiba are partners since 2004 when it comes to NAND memory, with the former holding a 49.9 percent stake in Flash Partners Ltd., and the latter the remaining 50.1 percent. The same split of Flash Alliance Ltd. exists, which opened in 2006. Both joint ventures produce NAND chips. A third joint has been inked, with the factory expected to open in 2010.

Samsung and Toshiba are two and key suppliers of flash memory for cellphones, PCs and portable media players, including Apple's iPods and iPhones.

By Electronista Staff