Fairchild Imaging teams with Supertex to enhance CCD fabrication
March 8, 2007, Milpitas, CA--Fairchild Imaging has entered into a strategic teaming relationship with Supertex (Sunnyvale, CA) for custom foundry services. The multiyear agreement strengthens Fairchild Imaging's position in the high performance imaging market by combining Supertex's specialty foundry with Fairchild Imaging's team of image sensor designers.
The strategic agreement for foundry services further transitions Fairchild Imaging from an integrated device manufacturer to a fabless semiconductor model. Fairchild Imaging began the transition in 2003 when it recognized the need to balance its portfolio with both CCD and CMOS image sensors to allow the company to deliver the right imaging technology with the best value to the marketplace.
Colin Earle, VP of sales and marketing at Fairchild Imaging, said, "I'm excited by the potential of this partnership with Supertex. Together, we will continue to enhance the state of the art of imaging technology, with offerings such as our CCD/CMOS hybrid imagers, as well as drive down costs for high resolution waferscale image sensors".
Supertex has licensed Fairchild Imaging's intellectual property for the manufacture of large area CCD imagers and the two companies have established a close working relationship to rapidly deliver devices to the marketplace. "Supertex's license of our unique processes and know how allows us to bring the next generation of waferscale CCDs to the performance imaging market. Their 150 mm fab line employs many of the same tools as our own fab and this, combined with their close proximity, has facilitated a very natural and effective partnership", noted Fairchild Imaging president and CEO, Charles J. Arduini.
"Fairchild Imaging's CCD design expertise and strong presence in aerospace, defense, medical and scientific imaging is synergistic with Supertex's Imaging and medical business focus, and the large size of their imagers combined with their volume will be an excellent contribution to our capacity utilization.", said Supertex president and CEO, Henry C. Pao.
For more information, contact Fairchild Imaging.