Hitachi GST to Acquire Substrate Manufacturing Facility from Western Digital

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies (Hitachi GST) announced that it has agreed to acquire a substrate manufacturing facility located in Sarawak, Malaysia from Western Digital. The facility currently produces aluminum substrates used in hard disk drives. WD originally acquired the Sarawak facility through its purchase of Komag in 2007.

"This acquisition further strengthens Hitachi GST and is the next step in our business transformation,” said Steve Milligan, President, Hitachi GST. "The Sarawak facility is located in close proximity to existing Hitachi GST suppliers and drive assembly operations, which will enable us to realize increased operational efficiencies and other long term benefits.”

"The Malaysian and Sarawak governments have been instrumental in Hitachi GST efforts to develop a local manufacturing presence. We thank them for their ongoing support and look forward to growing our employee base in Malaysia,” said Ian Sanders, Vice President, Components Group, Hitachi GST. "Sarawak has a highly-skilled workforce with a worldwide reputation for manufacturing and technology excellence. Our goal is to have the Sarawak team play an important role in strengthening our product competitiveness by providing Hitachi GST with greater access to world class components.”

Closing of the acquisition is subject to customary conditions.

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