Sony announced that they are splitting their sensor business into a separate new company. First conclusion from Reuters and Engadget can be seen below.
Sony Corp said it will split off its semiconductors operations in a bid to bolster growth in devices such as image sensors, which have helped lead a turnaround at the Japanese electronics maker. Sony said the move was part of the company’s push to give autonomy to its business units to accelerate decision-making and make them more accountable for their profitability. (Reuters)
Sony’s semiconductor business is highly profitable, mostly because its sensors are widely used in smartphones (especially Apple models), DSLRs from manufacturers like Nikon, and Sony’s own popular cameras. The move means that Sony’s core businesses are now mobile, gaming, imaging (cameras), movies, music and financial services. (Engadget)
Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation to be Established
Reinforcing Devices Segment
Sony Corporation has been implementing a series of measures to reinforce its Devices segment, a key growth driver for the Sony Group. As part of these measures, Sony will adopt a new operational structure for its Devices segment. The aim of this new structure is to enable each of the three main businesses within this segment, namely the semiconductor, battery and storage media businesses, to more rapidly adapt to their respective changing market environments and generate sustained growth. The Devices segment will continue to be overseen by Tomoyuki Suzuki, Executive Deputy President and Corporate Executive Officer, Sony Corporation.
In the semiconductor business, where image sensors are a primary area of focus, Sony will establish Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation (“Sony Semiconductor Solutions”) to further reinforce this business, and concentrate on sustained growth. R&D, business control, sales and other operations related to the semiconductor business, which are currently overseen by business groups and R&D units within Sony Corporation, will be transferred to Sony Semiconductor Solutions. The new company will aim to commence operations on April 1, 2016. As part of its mid-term corporate strategy announced in February 2015, Sony outlined its intention to sequentially split out the business units currently within Sony Corporation and operate them alongside existing Sony Group companies. The aim of these measures is to ensure clearly attributable accountability and responsibility from the perspective of shareholders, management policies with an emphasis on sustainable profit generation, and the acceleration of decision-making processes and reinforcement of business competitiveness. The decision to establish Sony Semiconductor Solutions forms part of this strategy.
Terushi Shimizu, currently Deputy President, Device Solutions Business Group, Sony Corporation, is expected to be appointed President, Sony Semiconductor Solutions. Sony Semiconductor Corporation (President: Yasuhiro Ueda) and Sony LSI Design Inc. (President: Makoto Ishii), which cover Sony’s semiconductor manufacturing and design operations respectively, will become subsidiaries of Sony Semiconductor Solutions.
In the battery business, Sony Energy Devices Corporation (President: Yoshito Ezure) will continue to engage in integrated business and manufacturing operations. It will remain focused on reinforcing business operations and enhancing product competitiveness, in order to maximize opportunities for expansion in the growing battery market, and enhance its ability to generate profit.
In the storage media business, business functions currently located within Sony Corporation will be transferred to Sony Storage Media and Devices Corporation (President: Mitsunobu Saito), which currently engages in manufacturing. By integrating these business functions and manufacturing operations, the Company aims to ensure continued, stable profit generation. Sony also targets April 2016 for the completion of this transfer.
via Sony Global
