TOKYO, JAPAN: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation and Renesas Technology Corporation, both based in Japan, have signed a basic agreement for the transfer of the semiconductor manufacturing equipment business of Renesas Eastern Japan Semiconductor, Inc. to Hitachi High-Tech Instruments Company Limited.

Renesas Eastern Japan Semiconductor is a wholly owned subsidiary of Renesas Technology Corporation, and Hitachi High-Tech Instruments is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation.

The business transfer, which has been scheduled for the spring of 2010, is expected to augment the semiconductor equipment business and the management efficiency of Hitachi High-Technologies, Renesas Technology Corporation and Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation said in a joint statement.

At present, the task of Renesas Eastern Japan Semiconductor, Inc. is to develop and manufacture semiconductor manufacturing equipment – with Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation mainly engaged in worldwide sales of these products.

The joint statement said that both Renesas Technology Corporation and Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation have recognized that the integrated management in the fields of manufacturing, sales and services in semiconductor manufacturing equipment is "the most desirable option now."

Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation said that, with the transfer of the semiconductor manufacturing equipment business of Renesas Eastern Japan Semiconductor to Hitachi High-Tech Instruments Company, it is aiming to "establish and strengthen" its business base in the semiconductor backend process equipment business.

In a separate statement, Renesas Technology Corporation said that it is taking a number of measures with a view to improving structure, optimizing employee resource, and making a stable management base.