Samsung is currently the world leader in the flash memory market with a share of 36.6 percent, but its position might soon be in danger. Toshiba, the second-largest flash memory maker in the world with a market share of 19.8 percent, has announced that it will spin off its core memory business and sell a 20 percent stake to Western Digital.
Western Digital currently has a market share of 17.7 percent, but if it joins hands with Toshiba, their combined share of the flash memory market will exceed that of Samsung's. Toshiba is looking to complete the sale by March 31, but there's a possibility of the deal being denied by the anti-trust regulatory. Other possible investors include SK Hynix, Development Bank of Japan, and some other private equity firms.
