Toshiba Sells Image Sensor Business to Sony

Confirming rumors that it was putting its image sensor business on the market, Toshiba has agreed to sell its Oita Operations fab, which manufactures CMOS image sensors, to Sony Corp. for about $155 million. Under terms of the agreement, the 300mm wafer production line, equipment and related assets as well as other related equipment and assets owned by Toshiba will be transferred to Sony. Sony and Toshiba expect the transfer to be completed by March 2016, subject to any required regulatory approvals.

After the transfer is complete, Sony and Sony Semiconductor Corp. (SCK) plan to operate the semiconductor fab as a facility for SCK, primarily for the manufacturing of CMOS image sensors. Those employed at the Oita fab as well as certain employees involved in the CMOS image sensor engineering and design side (about 1,100 in total) are expected to be offered employment within Sony Group.