On January 17, 2025, Rohm Semiconductor of Japan announced a significant personnel change. The current President and CEO, Katsuya Matsumoto, will officially step down on April 1st, and will be succeeded by Senior Executive Officer Katsumi Azuma, who boasts extensive management experience within the company. This adjustment is seen as a crucial measure by Rohm Semiconductor to strengthen its management system and enhance corporate value.

Background and Experience of the New CEO

Since joining Rohm Semiconductor in 1989, Katsumi Azuma has accumulated over three decades of rich experience within the company. He has held positions in various key departments, including the discrete device production department, and has demonstrated exceptional management abilities in these roles. In 2023, Azuma was appointed President of Rohm Apollo, further proving his leadership position within the company.

Azuma possesses deep expertise in quality control, production operations, and general-purpose device businesses. He is well aware of the challenges currently facing Rohm Semiconductor and is prepared to implement a series of measures to lead the company out of its difficulties.

Challenges Facing Rohm Semiconductor

In recent years, Rohm Semiconductor has been facing severe financial challenges. According to the company's interim financial report released in November 2024, Rohm Semiconductor expects to incur a net loss of 6 billion yen (approximately 281 million yuan) for the fiscal year 2024. This is the first time since fiscal year 2012 that Rohm Semiconductor has faced a full-year loss.

Apart from financial pressures, Rohm Semiconductor is also confronted with intense market competition and a lack of competitive product lines. These issues have collectively led to a sharp decline in the company's stock price and market position.

Future Reform Plans of Rohm Semiconductor

Facing these challenges, Azuma stated at a press conference that Rohm Semiconductor must undergo a profound transformation to achieve a recovery in profitability. He proposed a series of reform plans, including factory reorganization, organizational structure optimization, product development, and market expansion.

Firstly, Azuma plans to reorganize Rohm Semiconductor's factories to improve production efficiency and reduce costs. At the same time, he does not rule out the possibility of layoffs to further improve the company's financial situation. Secondly, Azuma pointed out that Rohm Semiconductor needs to develop more competitive product lines. He will achieve this goal by optimizing product structures and strengthening research and development innovation. Additionally, Rohm Semiconductor will strengthen semiconductor business cooperation with partners such as Toshiba to seek new growth opportunities. Through cooperation, Rohm Semiconductor can share resources and technology, enhancing its market competitiveness.

More importantly, in the field of power semiconductors, Azuma plans to increase investment in silicon carbide (SiC) technology. According to a report by Yole Group, the SiC device market is expected to reach nearly $10 billion by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate of 24%. Rohm Semiconductor will expand its SiC device production capacity and transition to the 8-inch platform. At the same time, the company will also launch a new generation of power SiC devices and modules to meet market demand. By increasing investment in SiC technology, Rohm Semiconductor is expected to achieve a breakthrough in the field of power semiconductors, becoming a core driver of future growth.

Market Outlook

Azuma's appointment is seen by the market as a crucial step for Rohm Semiconductor to seek a breakthrough in its difficulties. His reform plans cover short-term measures to improve finances, such as factory reorganization and layoffs, as well as long-term strategies for technological innovation and market expansion. With the rapid growth in global demand for power semiconductors, especially the potential demand for SiC technology in the automotive and industrial sectors, Rohm's SiC technology is expected to become a core driver of its future growth. Azuma also expressed his intention to expand market share through technological innovation and flexible business models, providing customers with more valuable solutions. Although it is currently uncertain whether Rohm can achieve a comprehensive transformation under his leadership, the strategies and plans he has formulated undoubtedly lay a new foundation for the future development of Rohm Semiconductor.

Conevo lastest ics

Conevo Elec(https://www.conevoelec.com/about-us/) is a reliable semiconductor component distributor, offering a wide range of IC electronic components. Here are some popular choices of integrated circuit chips.

1. The Rohm Semiconductor BU90028NUX-TR is a high-efficiency synchronous step-down switching regulator with a fixed 1.175V output voltage, capable of delivering up to 1.5A load current and operating within an input voltage range of 2.3V to 5.5V.

2. The Rohm Semiconductor BD9E100FJ-LBGE2 is a synchronous buck switching regulator with an integrated power MOSFET, featuring an input voltage range of 7V to 36V, adjustable output voltage from 1V to 25.2V, and a maximum output current of 1A. It operates at a switching frequency of 1MHz and is packaged in an 8-SOIC form.

3. The MNR35511TR-ND is a resistor network from Rohm Semiconductor, featuring an 8-resistor array with a resistance value of 510 ohms per element, ±5% tolerance, and a power rating of 62.5 mW per element in a 2512 (6432 metric) package.

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