SK hynix hosts first Japanese partners day to bolster AI supply chain

SK hynix held its first "Partners Day" in Chiba Prefecture on the 29th, inviting executives from 20 key Japanese companies across five sectors to share mid-to-long-term technology roadmaps and business directions.

SK hynix has organized an event to invite key local partners in Japan to share its business direction and strengthen supply chain cooperation. As demand for memory semiconductors surges due to advancements in AI technology, the company's strategy is to secure global supply chain stability by solidifying partnerships with Japanese materials, components, and equipment companies.

SK hynix announced that it held "Partners Day" on the 29th in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, inviting executives from approximately 20 key local business partners. This marks the first time the event, which is held annually for major domestic partners, has been hosted in Japan.

Key partners from five sectors gather, from materials to back-end processes

Major companies constituting the Japanese semiconductor ecosystem attended the event. Partners from five different sectors gathered in one place, including materials companies such as Shin-Etsu, SUMCO, JSR, and Namics; equipment companies such as TEL and Screen Holdings; back-end process and testing companies such as Disco and Advantest; and companies specializing in components and infrastructure.

During the event, SK hynix disclosed detailed mid-to-long-term business directions and technology roadmaps. Vice President Lee Hyeon-cheol shared the current business status and mid-to-long-term direction, while Vice President Lee Seong-hun introduced major technologies currently under development and future roadmaps. This measure is intended to help partners predict SK hynix's demand so they can preemptively secure facility investments and production capabilities.

"Competitiveness in the AI era lies in close cooperation"... strengthening the Korea-Japan semiconductor ecosystem

Key executives in attendance emphasized the complementary relationship between the semiconductor ecosystems of the two countries. Lee Byeong-gi, Chief Production Officer (CPO) of SK hynix, stated, "The capabilities of Japanese partners are a key factor in enhancing SK hynix's technological competitiveness," adding, "We will expand cooperation so that the semiconductor ecosystems of both countries can grow together."

Kang Yu-jong, Vice President and Head of Procurement at SK hynix, stated, "Close cooperation with materials, components, and equipment partners is the very essence of semiconductor competitiveness in the AI era," and said, "We will support the growth of the AI memory market by responding to next-generation technology challenges as 'one team' with our Japanese partners."

Partners also expressed expectations regarding the sharing of the technology roadmap. Hiroshi Ishida, Vice President (COO) of TEL, responded, "The fact that we can receive the mid-to-long-term roadmap from SK hynix early and maintain close dialogue at the management level provides a significant foundation for our company's technology development and investment decisions," and added, "We will work together from the early stages of development to support semiconductor manufacturing in the AI era."

Source: news.skhynix.co.kr