Sandisk to Pursue Emerging Memory Technology

Western Digital Corporation, based in San Jose, California, recently announced its decision to split off its flash memory business, Sandisk Corporation. This strategic move is aimed at allowing Western Digital to focus on its hard disk drive business, while Sandisk will continue to deliver flash memory products and explore the development of emerging disruptive memory technologies.

The split is scheduled to take place on February 23, with approximately 80 percent of Sandisk shares being allocated to Western Digital shareholders. Shareholders will receive one-third of a Sandisk share for each Western Digital share held on February 12. As a result, Sandisk is expected to represent around 42 percent of the market capitalization of Western Digital when the two entities begin trading separately on NASDAQ.

David V. Goeckeler serves as the CEO of Sandisk, bringing his leadership and expertise to drive the company's growth and innovation in the flash memory industry. The split marks a significant milestone for both Western Digital and Sandisk, as they embark on independent paths to further their respective business objectives and technological advancements.

It is worth noting that the acquisition of Sandisk by Western Digital took place on May 12, 2016, leading to a period of integration and collaboration between the two companies. The decision to split off Sandisk reflects Western Digital's strategic vision and commitment to optimizing its operations and resources to meet the evolving demands of the technology market.

As Western Digital continues to strengthen its position in the hard disk drive sector, Sandisk will leverage its expertise in flash memory products to drive innovation and address the growing needs of data storage and processing. The split is expected to unlock new opportunities for both entities, enabling them to pursue distinct strategies tailored to their respective areas of specialization.