Macronix is one of Taiwan’s main NOR Flash Memory suppliers and currently occupies the second biggest proportion of the global market at 23%. Their NOR Flash Memory operations are predominantly for consumer applications followed by communications applications.

Macronix Chairman and CEO Miin Wu stated that currently all kinds of terminal devices have strong requirements for NOR Flash Memory. In the past, the memory capacity was limited for the use of embedded memory in structures; however, today’s enhanced controller functions and the switch to plug-in memory have significantly increased the demand for memory.

He also pointed out that next year the phenomenon of a NOR Flash Memory shortage may appear, which will drive up Average Sales Prices (ASP).

Macronix last week held a 3rd quarter corporate briefing session to announce 3rd quarter revenue. Their 3rd quarter revenue reached NT$7.092 billion, which was a quarterly increase of 37% and the highest revenue in fifteen quarters. This also marked the end of 18 consecutive quarters of losses. Of their different revenue streams, ROM revenue grew by 2.7 times, NOR Flash experienced a 19% quarterly increase, and NAND Flash experienced a 40% increase in quarterly performance.

(TR/ Phil Sweeney)