Seagate and Toshiba compete for TDK's HDD head business
The talks could shift a key supply point for hard drive makers and leave Toshiba more exposed if it loses access to TDK's heads.
Seagate Technology and Toshiba are said to be bidding for TDK’s HDD magnetic-head business, a deal Bloomberg pegs at several billion dollars, and the outcome could reshape supply for hard drive makers. TDK is the only independent supplier of these heads, so Toshiba would be especially exposed if a rival won control, while Seagate and Western Digital already make heads in-house and also buy from TDK when they need extra volume. Bloomberg says Toshiba opened talks in spring 2026 and Seagate later returned with a higher offer in summer, and executives from the three companies met in Tokyo last week to discuss ways to protect supply, including a possible joint venture. Any sale would likely draw regulatory attention because Seagate and Western Digital each hold about 45% of HDD shipments by bits shipped, while Toshiba has about 10%.
Why it matters
The business matters because TDK is the only independent supplier of HDD magnetic heads, and Toshiba depends on it for those parts. If control changes hands, hard drive makers could face a different supply setup, and any deal is likely to face scrutiny because Seagate and Western Digital together dominate HDD shipments while Toshiba is much smaller. That is why the companies are discussing ways to preserve supply, including a possible joint venture.
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Sources
- Tom's Hardware