Fairchild Semiconductor Corp, the logic, memory and discrete semiconductor business that gained its independence from National Semiconductor last year, has denied rumors that it is to be acquired by Samsung Electronics Co Ltd. Fairchild, which has an aggressive acquisition strategy of its own, says it intends to grow its multi-market business both internally and through acquisitions and strategic partnerships. It sells its standard logic, analog and mixed signal, non-volatile memory and discrete power and signal technology chips across the board in products from personal computers to cellular phones. At the beginning of the year Fairchild acquired Raytheon Co’s semiconductor business for $120m (CI No 3,319), and in July it established Fairchild Semiconductor Japan Ltd. It employs 7,000 people worldwide. Samsung was recently dropped from the plans to merge Hyundai Electronics Co and LG Semicon’s semiconductor businesses. If that deal goes through, Samsung will face a major new competitor.
