Rising valuations in the semiconductor industry, regulatory constraints, and the prospect of increasing interest rates have dampened M&A activity, particularly for large deals in excess of $5 billion to $10+ billion. But that doesn’t necessarily mean inorganic growth is suddenly off the table.

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Indeed, the challenges slowing M&A are causing investors and corporate strategy teams to pivot to alternatives to traditional one-and-done M&A: Joint Ventures (JVs), collaborative agreements, and other unique approaches to value creation, which can provide lower-cost and lower-risk options for accelerating growth.

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Data from Accenture’s Inorganic Growth matrix shows the different types of agreements in conjunction with the relationship type. Along the x-axis, we measure the different models based on financial commitment, economic potential and impact speed.

Illustrative emphasis on Collaboration Agreement and Joint Venture, the focus of this blog topic

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In particular JVs, as we’ve previously highlighted, can contribute to a company’s growth agenda in a variety of ways:

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Cost Reduction

Enable partners to increase scale and reduce barriers to entry in certain markets

Supply Resiliency

Provide an attractive approach to vertical integration with upstream suppliers, which can shore up supply for raw materials

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Innovation

Share intellectual property, talent, and resources for new capabilities

Subsidies

Secure financial support from government investment

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A notable example of a successful semiconductor JV is IM Flash Technologies, formed in 2006 between Intel and Micron to manufacture NAND flash memory. In five years, according to Steve Appleton, Micron’s CEO, the JV enabled Intel and Micron to jointly become the industry's NAND Flash leader. The relationship lasted more than 12 years and was a win for the two partners due to its innovative nature, decades-long tenure, and accretive exit.

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This chart highlights the different types of joint ventures from several companies and details the advantages, level of risk and cost impact for each.

This Illustrative breakdown of key Joint Venture tradeoffs

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Recent Semiconductor JVs Take Center Stage

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some recent examples of leading firms in the semiconductor industry that have recognized the importance of JVs and the value they can deliver.

Athinia 

In December 2021, Merck KGaA (of Darmstadt, Germany) and Palantir announced a partnership to accelerate data analytics in semiconductor manufacturing. Merck KGaA is known for its science and technology expertise, while Palantir’s specialty are its software and big data applications. The joint Athinia platform will use AI to improve quality and supply chain transparency while shortening time to market.

This JV is an innovative response to current market pressures. Athinia CEO, Laura Matz, mentioned that the database integration is expected to boost manufacturing efficiencies with military-grade security for leading chipmakers.

JASM (Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing) 

In the same month, Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) and Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corp (SSS) announced the formation of Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Inc. (JASM). This is the first time TSMC is using a joint venture to build a fab, but it will be critical to bolstering supply during the chip shortage.

Terushi Shimizu, SSS CEO and president, said that although the chip shortage may be prolonged, the partnership should help stabilize supply in the industry.

While this is primarily a strategy to secure inputs for manufacturing and production, a degree of government subsidies is involved as well. The Japanese government is expected to support JASM and other similar endeavors in the future.

Foxconn and Vedanta

Foxconn and Vedanta have formed an India-based JV following the national government’s $30 billion investment plan. As countries move toward semiconductor supply independence, these agreements are expected to significantly accelerate domestic semiconductor expertise. In fact, such partnerships, including collaboration and financial commitments with governments, are emerging global trends. We expect to see similar announcements beyond Japan and India in the coming year.

DiodSent

Diodes and Sentec recently announced the formation of Diodsent, a JV dedicated to development of semiconductors specifically for hybrid and plug-in election vehicles. As countries change fuel emission standards and policies starting in 2025, this partnership combines two well-established R&D pipelines to address the upcoming bans on traditional vehicles. DiodSent Vice President, Nai-Si Hu indicated that leveraging vertical integration will achieve substantial synergies. He estimates that Diodsent’s chip output efficiency is 20-30% greater than competing European suppliers, which translates into 20-30% in cost reduction.

Semiconductor Co-Investment Program (SCIP)

Intel and Brookfield have agreed to an innovative, “first-of-its-kind” joint funding vehicle in the semiconductor industry. The cost sharing is expected to accelerate and scale Intel’s manufacturing capacity while providing Brookfield long term financial returns. The SCIP was the latest partnership announcement after the passage of the CHIPS and Science Act, intended to spur domestic and international investment.

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Key Considerations for JV Design and Operation

As global semiconductor markets face numerous headwinds, investors and corporate strategy teams may pursue JVs as a potential alternative to traditional M&A. To make JVs work, the partners must carefully structure the agreements, with common design considerations including:

Furthermore, the partners throughout relationship must continually balance a variety of competing interests involving the JV’s purpose and objectives, value drivers, management control, geographic scope, duration, and the contributions the respective firms make. And, because JVs typically last less than five years on average and most end up as an acquisition by one of the partners, it’s important that firms have a well-articulated exit strategy early on in the relationship.

When semiconductor companies consider inorganic growth, M&A usually attracts the lion’s share of attention. But it’s important to not ignore JVs, which can add value to a company’s strategic portfolio if planned and executed effectively—especially during times when M&A may not be the most attractive or financially viable option.

Copyright © 2022 Accenture. All rights reserved. Accenture and its logo are registered trademarks of Accenture.

This content is provided for general information purposes and is not intended to be used in place of consultation with our professional advisors. This document refers to marks owned by third parties. All such third-party marks are the property of their respective owners. No sponsorship, endorsement or approval of this content by the owners of such marks is intended, expressed or implied.

Gregg Albert

Managing Director – Accenture Strategy, Mergers & Acquisitions


Garrett Oliveira

Manager – Accenture Strategy, Mergers & Acquisitions

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