DigiTimes Daily IT News

Gigabyte to transfer own-brand desktop motherboard and graphics card business to Gigabyte United Press release, November 8; Adam Hwang, DigiTimes.com [Wednesday 8 November 2006]
Gigabyte Technology on November 7 announced that it will transfer its existing own-brand desktop PC motherboard and graphics cards business, valued at NT$4.08 billion (US$124 million), to Gigabyte United Incorporated, a joint venture it will establish with Asustek Computer in January of 2007.
Gigabyte's shareholders on November 7 approved the deal, which was approved earlier by the company's board of directors. Gigabyte and Asustek signed a strategic-alliance agreement for the joint venture on August 8 of this year, according to Gigabyte chairman Dandy Yeh. Gigabyte United will have an initial capital of NT$8.0 billion, with Gigabyte and Asustek holding a 51% and 49% stake, respectively, Yeh indicated. Yeh will assume the chairmanship of the new joint venture.
Gigabyte Technology will transfer its existing assets, liabilities, orders and clients, intangible assets and legal relations/status, worth an appraised total value of NT$4.08 billion, to Gigabyte United, Yeh pointed out. The transaction accounts for 14.03% of Gigabyte Technology's total asset value and 149.91% of its net fixed asset value, Yeh added.
Gigabyte United will have permanent and exclusive licensed use of the Gigabyte brand and trademark for making and marketing desktop motherboards and graphics cards. Gigabyte Technology will charge for the licensed use of its brand name for five years from the first year Gigabyte United begins to make a profit. Gigabyte United will pay 50% of its operating profit to Gigabyte for three years with the percentage to decrease to 33% for the following two years, according to Gigabyte Technology.
The strategic alliance with Asustek will avoid competition between the two companies and will integrate the resources of each for better competitiveness, Yeh explained. Gigabyte Technology will maintain its existing ODM production of desktop motherboards and graphics cards, Yeh pointed out.

８月８日に発表されたマザーボード生産数１位のASUSTEKと３位のGIGABYTEが合弁会社の、その後の記事。
マザーボードメーカーは一昨年くらいに大手４社（ASUSUTEK、ECS、Gigabyte、MSI）に絞られて中小のメーカーは脱落したのですが、今後は３社に絞られるのですね。但しFOXCONNが新規参入したので、やはり４社か。

日本でもSONYとNECの光ドライブ事業が合弁したし、ハードウエアのビジネスが難しいのは日本メーカーのみかと思っていたのですが、台湾メーカーでも生き残りが難しくなっている様です。　FOXCONNがノートブック生産数世界１位のQuantaと合弁するとの噂がありましたが、この噂は否定されています（FOXCONNがQuantuaの光ドライブ部門に資本参加する事が噂の火種？）。