AMI Semiconductor Strengthens Position in Medical Devices Market

From: Business Wire (press release), CA - Nov 29, 2004

POCATELLO, Idaho--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 29, 2004--

Acquisition, renewed low-power device support and focus on strategic marketing demonstrates company's growing commitment to the medical market

AMI Semiconductor (Nasdaq:AMIS), a designer and manufacturer of state-of-the-art integrated mixed-signal and structured digital products, today confirmed its intention to focus on growing the company's medical business at a more rapid pace than the current market, while continuing to strengthen its already extensive offering of ultra-low power mixed-signal products and services.

AMI Semiconductor's reinforced focus on the medical market is underlined by the acquisition of Dspfactory Ltd., an increased effort and investment in meeting the demands of the medical implantable applications and continued focus on ultra low-power mixed-signal technology. Additionally, Mike Rice has joined the company in the newly created position of medical industry marketing and business development manager to provide analysis and strategic vision for this key end-market sector.

With the acquisition of Dspfactory Ltd., a leading provider of ultra-low power digital signal processing (DSP) technology for digital hearing aids and other low-power medical devices, AMIS gains leading edge mixed-signal DSP experience in hardware and product design, as well as software experience in algorithm development for the implantable medical devices market.

As trends in the medical device market move toward wireless technology, implantable designs are integrating ultra-low power MICS-band radios. AMIS is poised to capitalize on this trend as it possess the necessary ultra-low-power design capabilities, the analog front-end experience and currently has wireless technology embedded in implantable applications. The company's capability to combine microcontrollers, analog and wireless into a single chip strongly differentiates it from competing companies in the medical space.

In conjunction with the company's strong technical ramp-up, AMIS has appointed Mike Rice as medical industry marketing and business development manager to provide strategic market analysis and craft the company's medical market direction. Rice, who brings more than 20 years of experience in the medical device industry, will work with the company's integrated mixed-signal and structured digital business units to create business opportunities in the medical sector. He will also work closely with existing and potential customers to ensure that AMIS has a clear leadership product position with all major medical device manufacturers.

"I am pleased and excited to join AMI Semiconductor and look forward to meeting the challenges of our enhanced medical efforts with vigour and determined focus," said Rice. "We fully understand our customers' design needs and have the technology and expertise to be the preferred and trusted supplier of products ranging from the design of full custom ASICs to wafer manufacturing for medical device manufacturers."

About AMI Semiconductor

AMI Semiconductor (AMIS) is a leader in the design and manufacture of silicon solutions for the real world. As a widely recognized innovator in state-of-the-art integrated mixed-signal products, mixed-signal foundry services and structured digital products, AMIS is committed to providing customers with the optimal value, quickest time-to-market semiconductor solutions. Offering unparalleled manufacturing flexibility and dedication to customer service, AMI Semiconductor operates globally with headquarters in Pocatello, Idaho, European corporate offices in Oudenaarde, Belgium, and a network of sales and design centers located in the key markets of the United States, Europe and the Asia Pacific region.

Contacts

AMI Semiconductor
Tamera Drake, 208-234-6890
tamera_drake@amis.com
or
Shelton
Helen Garrett/Jason Caldwell, 972-239-5119 x201, x119
hgarrett@sheltongroup.com
jcaldwell@sheltongroup.com

© Business Wire 2004