AKM Semiconductor Audio DAC and ADC Production Disrupted by Fire

After a major fire destroyed the Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) semiconductor factory in Nobeoka, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, the company still has to provide a report on the disruption that this major disaster will cause to its business, particularly affecting the supply of critical DAC and ADC chips that are used by many high-end audio and studio equipment manufacturers. Non-confirmed reports state the company is already preparing to outsource production of the analog/digital LSI circuits exclusively produced at this facility.

Panasonic Corporation, based in Osaka, Japan, recently confirmed that it has completed the previously announced transfer of its semiconductor business to Nuvoton Technology Corporation, a Taiwan-based semiconductor company under the umbrella of Winbond Electronics Corporation group, following the receipt of regulatory approvals.