February 17, 2025 /SemiMedia/ — Western Digital (WD) and SanDisk are set to finalize their separation on February 21, establishing two independent companies. Initially announced in 2023, the split was delayed due to its complexity, extending the process into 2025.

Western Digital originally planned to separate its HDD and flash memory businesses on October 30, 2023, creating two publicly traded entities. In March 2024, the company indicated that the split would likely be completed in the second half of the year, but the process did not move forward as expected. In November 2024, Western Digital transferred support for its flash products—including WD Black SSD, HGST SSD, and G-Technology SSD—to SanDisk’s website, signaling further steps toward independent operations.

Western Digital stated that the separation would allow both companies to focus on technology innovation and product development, seize growth opportunities, strengthen market competitiveness, and operate more efficiently with distinct capital structures. Each company will have its own leadership team, with current Western Digital CEO David Goeckeler becoming SanDisk’s CEO, while Global Operations EVP Irving Tan will assume the role of Western Digital CEO.

Western Digital acquired SanDisk for $16 billion in 2015, but the partnership is now coming to an end in less than a decade. Post-split, SanDisk will introduce a new brand identity and independent website.

Irving Tan emphasized that Western Digital remains committed to providing high-efficiency storage solutions for hyperscale enterprises, cloud service providers, and OEMs. The company continues to drive innovation, accelerating the development of heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) technology and has begun testing with two major hyperscale customers. Additionally, Western Digital will continue to focus on energy-assisted perpendicular magnetic recording (ePMR) CMR hard drives and UltraSMR technology, aiming to lower total cost of ownership (TCO) and deliver long-term value to customers.