Toshiba tells banks chip deal delayed as Apple yet to approve

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Toshiba Corp told its main banks on Monday it has not signed the 18-billion-US dollar sale of its semiconductor business because Apple Inc., a member of the buyer group, has not agreed on key terms, two people involved in the deal said.

The struggling Japanese conglomerate announced last Wednesday it had chosen a consortium led by US private equity firm Bain Capital LP to buy the prized chip unit, a move that would end a nine-month sale process and plug a vast hole in Toshiba’s finances, preventing it from being removed from trading on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

But the signing of the deal to sell the world’s No. 2 producer of NAND memory chips, initially expected the following day, has dragged on, forcing Toshiba to explain the predicament to its bankers on Monday, the people said.

Toshiba's used-memory chips are seen at an electronics shop in Tokyo, November 9, 2010. /VCG Photo

They told Reuters that Toshiba asked the lenders to roll over 680 billion yen (6.1 billion US dollars) in credit lines set to expire on September 30.

The lenders have been demanding that Toshiba signs a definitive agreement with the Bain-led group, which also involves S. Korean chipmaker SK Hynix Inc., as a condition for the funding.

Details of the issues with Apple couldn’t immediately be ascertained.

Toshiba said in a statement to Reuters, “While we cannot comment on the detail of the deal procedure, we aim to sign the agreement with the purchaser as early as possible.”

Toshiba Corp. logo stands tall at the headquarters in Tokyo. /VCG Photo

Apple didn’t immediately reply to an emailed request for comment.

Press representatives for Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp and Mizuho Bank, the biggest of Toshiba’s seven main lenders, couldn’t immediately be reached outside office hours.

Apple, which is considering investing in the unit through preferred shares, has not submitted the necessary commitment letter, said the people, who asked not to be identified as the talks were private.

The consortium also has not received approval from the lenders on 600 billion yen (5.4 billion US dollars) in financing for the sale, due to legal challenges posed by an unsuccessful bidder and joint-venture partner Western Digital Corp, the people said.

California-based Western Digital has taken Toshiba to court to stop any sale without its consent.

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Source(s): Reuters