Toshiba Samsung Storage Technology

Toshiba Samsung Storage Technology Corporation, commonly known as TSST or TSSTcorp, was an international joint venture formed in 2004 by Toshiba of Japan and Samsung Electronics of South Korea. The company specialized in optical disc drives for computers and related equipment, including half-height desktop drives and slim drives used in portable computers. Toshiba initially held 51 percent of the venture and Samsung held the remaining 49 percent. TSST was structured around operations in both Japan and South Korea. Its Japanese headquarters was located in Shibaura, Minato, Tokyo, while Toshiba Samsung Storage Technology Korea Corporation operated from Suwon, South Korea. The two corporations maintained separate directorate systems, but coordinated business matters through a common organization intended to reach mutual agreement. TSST was responsible principally for product development, marketing, and sales, while drawing on the established manufacturing, distribution, and after-sales networks of Toshiba and Samsung Electronics. The company’s product portfolio included optical drives capable of reading and writing CDs and DVDs. Certain half-height DVD-writing products were marketed under the WriteMaster name. The range included both Parallel ATA/IDE and Serial ATA models, as well as slim optical drives designed for notebook computers and other compact systems. Some products supported LightScribe disc-labeling technology. TSST’s business was therefore closely tied to the personal-computer hardware market and to demand for recordable optical media. The venture later encountered legal, ownership, and financial difficulties. In October 2009, TSST received a subpoena from the United States Department of Justice concerning possible violations of U.S. antitrust law. The available reference material does not establish the final outcome of that inquiry. Toshiba and Samsung subsequently sold their interests in TSST to Optis Co., Ltd., a Korean manufacturer that had produced goods for TSST under contract. In mid-2016, TSST sought Chapter 15 bankruptcy protection in Delaware. The proceeding was intended to protect the company from most U.S. creditor actions while its Korean business underwent court-supervised reorganization and the company addressed approximately 78 million U.S. dollars in debt. The bankruptcy and restructuring marked the collapse of the joint venture’s original operating model. The company is generally treated as a former or defunct enterprise rather than an active international brand.

Toshiba Samsung Storage Technology Corporation was established in 2004 as a joint venture between Toshiba Corporation and Samsung Electronics. The ownership structure gave Toshiba a 51 percent interest and Samsung a 49 percent interest. The venture was created to develop and commercialize optical disc drives while leveraging the two parent companies’ existing engineering, manufacturing, distribution, and service resources. TSST operated through related Japanese and Korean corporations. Its headquarters was in Shibaura, Minato, Tokyo, and its Korean subsidiary was based in Suwon. The two entities had their own directorate arrangements, but coordinated important business matters through a shared organization. TSST handled product development, marketing, and sales, while the Toshiba and Samsung networks supported manufacturing, market access, and after-sales service. The company’s central business was the optical disc drive. Its products covered half-height drives for desktop computers and other systems, along with slim drives for notebook computers and compact equipment. The portfolio included CD and DVD reading and writing functions, and some DVD writers were sold under the WriteMaster brand. Model families used different interfaces, including Parallel ATA/IDE and Serial ATA, and selected products supported LightScribe technology. The business was closely connected to the personal-computer market and the use of recordable optical media. TSST’s corporate history later became marked by legal and financial pressure. In October 2009, the company received a subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice over possible antitrust-law violations. The cited reference does not provide a final finding or resolution. At a later stage, Toshiba and Samsung sold their interests to Optis Co., Ltd., a Korean company that had manufactured products for TSST under contract. This ended the original Toshiba–Samsung ownership arrangement. In mid-2016, TSST entered Chapter 15 bankruptcy protection in the United States. The Delaware proceeding was designed to shield the company from most U.S. creditor actions while the business was reorganized through the Korean court system. The restructuring involved debt reported at approximately 78 million U.S. dollars. Following the ownership changes and bankruptcy proceedings, TSST is understood as a former optical-drive venture rather than an active operating brand. The available sources do not document a subsequent revival, continuing corporate structure, or current product business.

• 2016

  Chapter 15 bankruptcy protection

  [1]Toshiba Samsung Storage Technologyen.wikipedia.org

  TSST enters Chapter 15 protection in Delaware while its Korean operations undergo reorganization and debt restructuring.

• 2009

  U.S. antitrust subpoena

  [1]Toshiba Samsung Storage Technologyen.wikipedia.org

  The U.S. Department of Justice subpoenas TSST in connection with possible antitrust-law violations.

• 2004

  Toshiba and Samsung establish TSST

  [1]Toshiba Samsung Storage Technologyen.wikipedia.org

  Toshiba Corporation and Samsung Electronics establish Toshiba Samsung Storage Technology as an international optical-disc-drive joint venture, with Toshiba holding 51 percent and Samsung 49 percent.

• Ownership transferred to Optis

  [1]Toshiba Samsung Storage Technologyen.wikipedia.org

  Toshiba and Samsung sell their stakes in TSST to Optis Co., Ltd., a Korean contract manufacturer associated with the venture.

A computer-hardware supplier focused on optical disc drives, combining Toshiba and Samsung technology, distribution, manufacturing, and service capabilities.

• Optical disc drives

  WriteMaster DVD writers

  WriteMaster was the branding used for certain TSST half-height optical drives with disc-writing capability. These products were designed for computer systems requiring CD and DVD reading and recording, and formed part of TSST’s desktop-oriented optical-drive range.

• Computer optical drives

  Half-height optical drives

  TSST’s half-height products were full-size internal optical drives used primarily in desktop computers and similar systems. The range included CD and DVD writers, with model variants using Parallel ATA/IDE or Serial ATA interfaces. Some models also supported LightScribe disc labeling.

• Notebook optical drives

  Slim optical drives

  TSST produced slim optical drives for notebook computers and other compact systems. Their mechanical design prioritized reduced thickness and physical integration into portable equipment, with operating speeds constrained by the drive motor and disc rotation characteristics.

• 2009

  U.S. antitrust investigation

  The U.S. Department of Justice issued TSST a subpoena regarding possible antitrust-law violations. The available source does not state whether charges were filed or how the inquiry concluded.

  Source

Read more

• 2016

  Chapter 15 restructuringOther

  Background

  TSST faced creditor actions and restructuring needs while its Korean business was reorganized through the Korean court system.

  Action taken

  The company sought Chapter 15 bankruptcy protection in Delaware.

  Aftermath

  The proceeding provided protection from most U.S. creditor actions while the company pursued Korean reorganization and addressed approximately 78 million U.S. dollars in debt.

  Reported debt. 78000000 USD (2016)

  Source

• Sale of the Toshiba and Samsung stakesM&A

  Background

  The original Toshiba–Samsung ownership arrangement was later replaced after both parent companies sold their interests in TSST.

  Action taken

  The stakes were sold to Optis Co., Ltd., a Korean manufacturer that had produced TSST products under contract.

  Aftermath

  The transaction ended Toshiba and Samsung’s ownership of the venture. The available sources do not provide the transaction date or terms.

  Source

1. 1Toshiba Samsung Storage Technologyen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Archived TSST official websiteweb.archive.org