Nanya Technology Corporation: Kao’s plans unclear amid China poaching rumor

Nanya Technology Corporation: Kao's plans unclear amid China poaching rumor

TAIPEI — Nanya Technology Corporation, Taiwan’s leading maker of dynamic random access memory, and a key partner with U.S. memory chipmaker Micron, said on Monday that it is not involved with its recently retired president, Charles Kao, following speculation that he might join China’s Tsinghua Unigroup to foster collaboration between the three companies.

     Lee Pei-ing, Kao’s successor at Nanya, told reporters on Monday that the company has no knowledge of Kao’s plans in retirement.

     Nanya announced his departure on Oct.6, a day after the China-based research company ICwise reported that Kao was leaving to join state-owned Tsinghua as Beijing strives to boost China’s national chip industry.

     With his next moves unclarified, Kao is still a board member at Nanya and remains chairman of Inotera Memories, a Nanya-Micron joint venture.

     Apart from possible collaboration between the three companies, there has been speculation in the Taiwan press that Tsinghua wants Kao onside to help pursue Micron. Kao has been closely involved over the years in the collaboration between Micron and Nanya. According to Lee, Micron has not approached Nanya to discuss Kao’s departure.

     The Wall Street Journal reported in July that Tsinghua was making a $23 billion bid for Micron. Reuters subsequently reported Micron pushed back the offer citing possible national security concerns among U.S. authorities.

     During the third quarter, Nanya’s net income was 4.71 billion New Taiwan dollars ($129 million) on revenue of NT$10.33 billion, down 37% and 21% respectively year on year due to reduced global demand for personal computers.  

Nanya Technology Corporation: Kao's plans unclear amid China poaching rumor