SanDisk wants to get big in NAND

SanDisk has been making some waves in the industry during the past month. In early July, it was announced that SanDisk and Toshiba were spending a combined $8.2 billion USD to expand flash memory production. Of the funds earmarked, $3 billion is going to a new joint venture called Flash Alliance Ltd., while the remaining $5.2 billion is being reserved for a new 300mm fabrication facility in Yokkaichi, Japan. The plant, which is 51% owned by Toshiba, will produce an estimated 110,000 wafers per month (up from the original target of 48,750). Toshiba and SanDisk each are guaranteed 50% of total production.