Toshiba

Toshiba is one of the leading flash memory makers in the world and the fifth-largest personal computer manufacturer globally.

Established in 1875, Toshiba is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It has about 198,000 employees and is placed 91st in the 2008 Fortune Global 500 list.

The Japanese giant's main businesses include digital products, electronic devices and components, social infrastructure systems and home appliances.

In October, Toshiba and U.S.-based SanDisk announced plans to restructure their joint flash memory-manufacturing venture, which will let Toshiba gain a larger ownership stake.

Recently, Toshiba said it will foray into the market for plug-in hybrids and electiric vehicles. The company plans to spend 20 billion yen (US$214 million) to expand its production to cars by 2010, allowing it to supply lithium ion batteries to automakers.