Apparently, Intel
Add 120 former employees to the list. On Friday, the chip maker sold the bulk of its optical-networking operations to CortinaSystems for $115 million, according to press reports.
While likely smart in the long run, the sale must be embarrassing for more than a few insiders. Intel built the unit, which supplies processors for telecommunications and digital networking devices, primarily through a $2.2 billion buyout of Level One in 1999.
But the business never really took off. And diversification no longer makes sense, according to a statement from Bill Chatwell, Intel's general manager for the optical-networking group. "We're honing Intel's focus in the communications and embedded market segments to align with our core businesses."
In other words, Intel is ... well, I don't know. Sure, everyone not living in a cave is aware that it derives the bulk of its revenue from sales to PC and server makers such as Dell
Hopefully, Otellini will soon tell investors exactly what he expects the new Intel to be. In the meantime, I wonder if he's taking a page from former IBM CEO Lou Gerstner, who in the '90s determined that it wasn't in IBM's best interest to be in as many businesses as it was at the time.
Most famously, Gerstner shut down nearly all software development after the OS/2 operating system failed to seriously challenge Windows. More recently, current CEO Sam Palmisano sold the PC business to Chinese manufacturer Lenovo while preserving the ThinkPad brand name.
What's to stop Intel from doing something similar? Couldn't Otellini sell entire platforms built around an ecosystem of Intel PC and server chips with certified partners? I don't see why not. Heck, he's already got three in Cortina, Eicon Networks, which purchased the communications business last month, and Marvell Technology
Frankly, it's nice to see Intel taking action. Rival Advanced Micro Devices
Allow us to chip in with related Foolishness:
- Do you take a more contrarian view of Intel?
- Hey! Look! Intel won a Sprint
(NYSE:S) ! - Watch AMD serve another loss to Intel.
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Fool contributor Tim Beyers gets in the mood for Mexican food every time he writes about chips. Tim didn't own shares in any of the companies mentioned in this story at the time of publication. Get the skinny on everything Tim is invested in by checking his Fool profile. The Motley Fool's disclosure policy is as thick and juicy as a great salsa. Yummy.