ASUS in talks with Toshiba over a possible acquisition or merger

The company also aims to become the third largest notebook manufacturer

Reportedly, the Taiwan-based company ASUS announced earlier this year that it plans to become the third largest laptop manufacturer by 2011. According to a Chinese-language Commercial Times report (detailed by DigiTimes), Jonney Shish, ASUS’ chairman, disclosed that they are already in talks with TOSHIBA for a possible takeover or merger. It seems like a strong campaign which aims to achieve a clear goal.

ASUSTek or ASUS, as it is commonly known, was founded by four engineers in 1989. The company manufactures notebook computers, PDAs, servers, motherboards, graphics cards, optical drives, computer cases, networking products, computer components, mobile phones and computer cooling systems and more. ASUS was the company that enhanced netbook popularity with its EEE PC introduction.

In 2008, ASUS revenues reached $22.9 billion and, as of June 2009, 34.3 percent of PCs sold in 2008 worldwide were equipped with an ASUS motherboard. The company is also listed on both the London Stock Exchange and Taiwan Stock Exchange.  Furthermore, it aims to ship more than 16 million notebooks (including netbooks) in 2010, which is an estimated increase of 4 million units in comparison to 2009. Shish said in October that Windows 7 will boost the notebook industry. He also pointed at the fact that about 30% of the EEE PC netbooks are already equipped with Microsoft’s OS.

Allegedly, TOSHIBA is now the fifth largest notebook manufacturer, behind HP, ACER, DELL and LENOVO. A potential acquisition or merger can lead to an increase in company sales and end-customer satisfaction.