Numonyx
Swiss semiconductor company specializing in NOR and NAND flash memory and other non-volatile memory technologies.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Numonyx was a semiconductor company headquartered in Rolle, Switzerland, focused on non-volatile memory for consumer electronics, computing equipment, communications devices, automotive applications, and industrial systems. The company was established on March 31, 2008, through a transaction involving Intel Corporation, STMicroelectronics, and private-equity firm Francisco Partners. Its formation combined important memory-related assets and operations associated with Intel and STMicroelectronics, creating a dedicated memory supplier with a broad international manufacturing, research, development, and sales footprint. The company’s core business was flash memory. Its portfolio included NOR flash, NAND flash, and technologies derived from the former Intel and STMicroelectronics memory businesses. NOR products were used where rapid code access and dependable embedded storage were important, while NAND products served higher-density storage applications. Numonyx supplied memory components for mobile phones, MP3 players, digital cameras, computers, and other electronic equipment. Its products were sold into both consumer and industrial markets, reflecting the company’s position as a component supplier rather than a consumer-facing electronics brand. A notable part of Numonyx’s business was its NOR flash portfolio. The company introduced the M29EW NOR Flash family in 2008 and later announced a return to 5-volt flash products with the M29F line in early 2009. The latter addressed demand from applications, including parts of the automotive sector, that continued to use 5-volt memory. Numonyx also carried phase-change memory technology inherited from the Intel and STMicroelectronics operations, although flash memory remained central to its commercial identity. In 2009, the company was reported to hold a 34.6 percent share of the NOR flash market, making it the largest vendor in that segment at the time. Numonyx was managed by executives with backgrounds in the founding companies. Brian Harrison served as chief executive officer after leading Intel’s Flash Memory Group, while Mario Licciardello served as chief operating officer after holding senior responsibility for STMicroelectronics’ flash-memory activities. Edward Doller, formerly chief technology officer of Intel’s memory group, served as Numonyx’s chief technology officer. Operations extended beyond Switzerland, with sales, manufacturing, and research and development facilities in the United States, Israel, Singapore, China, and Italy. Numonyx operated independently for less than two years. On February 9, 2010, Micron Technology announced an agreement to acquire the company for approximately US$1.27 billion. The transaction brought Numonyx’s memory assets and expertise into Micron and ended Numonyx as a standalone semiconductor company. Numonyx therefore represents a short-lived but significant consolidation of Intel and STMicroelectronics memory operations before their integration into a larger memory manufacturer.
History
Numonyx was created on March 31, 2008, as a joint venture and asset combination involving Intel Corporation, STMicroelectronics, and Francisco Partners. The transaction consolidated significant memory-related businesses and technologies associated with Intel and STMicroelectronics into a new, independently managed semiconductor company. The assets being combined had generated approximately US$3.6 billion in aggregate annual revenue in 2006, according to contemporary descriptions of the transaction. The new company was headquartered in Rolle, Switzerland. It maintained an international operating structure, with sales, manufacturing, and research and development facilities in the United States, Israel, Singapore, China, and Italy. This footprint supported Numonyx’s role as a global component supplier rather than a regional semiconductor producer. Its customers used the company’s products in cellular phones, MP3 players, digital cameras, personal computers, and other high-technology equipment, as well as in industrial and automotive-related applications. Numonyx’s principal commercial activity was the production of non-volatile memory. Its product range included NOR and NAND flash memory, along with phase-change memory technology transferred from the Intel and STMicroelectronics memory operations. NOR flash was especially important to the company. In 2008, Numonyx introduced the M29EW NOR Flash family. In early 2009, it announced the M29F 5-volt flash line, reversing an earlier decision to stop selling 5-volt flash products. The move reflected continuing demand from customers, including automotive users, whose systems could require legacy voltage specifications. The company was led by executives drawn from its founding organizations. Brian Harrison became chief executive officer after serving as vice president and general manager of Intel’s Flash Memory Group. Mario Licciardello became chief operating officer after serving as a corporate vice president and general manager of STMicroelectronics’ Flash Memories Group. Edward Doller, formerly chief technology officer of Intel’s memory group, became Numonyx’s chief technology officer. Their appointments gave the new company leadership with direct experience in the businesses and technologies being combined. Numonyx achieved a strong position in NOR flash. It was reported to have a 34.6 percent share of the NOR flash market in 2009, making it the leading vendor in that segment at the time. Its business nevertheless existed within a highly competitive semiconductor industry characterized by substantial capital requirements, technology transitions, and consolidation among memory producers. On February 9, 2010, Micron Technology announced an agreement to acquire Numonyx for approximately US$1.27 billion. The acquisition transferred Numonyx’s operations, products, and technology portfolio to Micron. Following the transaction, Numonyx ceased to operate as a standalone company and its former corporate presence was absorbed into Micron’s business. The company’s independent life consequently lasted from 2008 until its acquisition in 2010.
- 2010
Micron agrees to acquire Numonyx
[2]Micron Technology agrees to acquire Numonyx for approximately US$1.27 billion, ending the company’s independent operation.
- 2009
M29F 5-volt flash line is announced
[1]The company announces M29F 5-volt flash products, responding to continuing demand from applications that retained 5-volt requirements.
- 2009
Numonyx leads the NOR flash market
[1]Numonyx is reported to hold a 34.6 percent share of the NOR flash market, making it the largest vendor in that segment.
- 2008
Numonyx is established
[1]Intel Corporation, STMicroelectronics, and Francisco Partners establish Numonyx as a non-volatile memory company headquartered in Rolle, Switzerland.
- 2008
M29EW NOR Flash is introduced
[1]Numonyx launches the M29EW NOR Flash family as part of its embedded memory portfolio.
Products and positioning
A specialist supplier of embedded non-volatile memory, with particular strength in NOR flash and applications spanning mobile, consumer electronics, computing, automotive, and industrial equipment.
Non-volatile memory
NOR flash memory
NOR flash was Numonyx’s most prominent product area and supported embedded code storage and rapid read access in electronic systems. The portfolio served mobile devices, computing equipment, automotive electronics, industrial systems, and other products requiring reliable non-volatile memory. Numonyx’s M29EW family was introduced in 2008, and the company later announced M29F 5-volt products for customers that continued to use legacy voltage requirements.
Non-volatile memory
NAND flash memory
Numonyx produced NAND flash as part of its broader non-volatile memory portfolio. NAND technology provided higher-density storage for electronic equipment and complemented the company’s NOR offerings. The products were supplied as components for consumer and high-technology devices rather than marketed as standalone consumer storage products under a continuing Numonyx brand.
Emerging memory technology
Phase-change memory
Numonyx inherited phase-change memory technology from the Intel and STMicroelectronics memory businesses used to form the company. This technology represented an alternative non-volatile memory approach alongside the company’s established flash products. Public reference material identifies it as part of the portfolio but does not provide sufficient detail to establish a broad commercial product family or long-term sales scale.
Brand decisions
2010
Sale to Micron TechnologyM&ABackground
Numonyx operated in a capital-intensive and competitive memory industry after being formed from major Intel and STMicroelectronics memory assets.
Action taken
Micron Technology agreed to acquire Numonyx for approximately US$1.27 billion.
Aftermath
Numonyx ceased to exist as an independent company and its business was integrated into Micron Technology.
Acquisition value. US$1.27 billion (Announced February 9, 2010)
2009
Return to 5-volt flash productsProduct launchBackground
Numonyx had initially stopped selling 5-volt flash memory, even though the specification remained relevant to some customers, particularly in automotive-related applications.
Action taken
The company announced the M29F 5-volt flash line in early 2009.
Aftermath
The announcement restored a 5-volt offering to Numonyx’s portfolio; the available reference material does not quantify its subsequent commercial performance.
Recent events
- 2010
Micron Technology agrees to acquire Numonyx[2]
M&A
Micron Technology agreed to purchase Numonyx for approximately US$1.27 billion, bringing the company’s memory assets into Micron and ending Numonyx’s independent existence.
- 2009
Numonyx announces a 5-volt M29F flash line[1]
Product launch · Product generation
Numonyx announced M29F 5-volt flash products after initially discontinuing sales of 5-volt flash memory, addressing continued demand in applications such as automotive electronics.
- 2008
Numonyx is formed from Intel and STMicroelectronics memory assets[1]
Other
Intel Corporation, STMicroelectronics, and Francisco Partners established Numonyx as a dedicated non-volatile memory company.
- 2008
Numonyx introduces the M29EW NOR Flash family[1]
Product launch
The company added the M29EW family to its NOR flash portfolio, targeting embedded applications that required non-volatile code storage.
Sources2 sources
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