austriamicrosystems AG, a leading global designer and manufacturer of analog/digital integrated circuits (ICs), has opened another sales office in China, this time in Suzhou, a rapidly-growing center not far from the industrial region of Shanghai. At the same time a new design center specializing in the development of microchip functions for Audio and Video playback has been set up in Bangalore, often referred to as India's Silicon Valley. "With the further expansion of our activities to a total of 16 locations worldwide, we are particularly strengthening our presence in the growing Asia Pacific region," said John Heugle, CEO of austriamicrosystems AG.

With the new office in China austriamicrosystems continues to execute its strategy of a global network and close collaboration with customers at the local level, having already been represented with an office in Hong Kong since 2002. According to SIA1, China already has a share of almost 15% of the global semiconductor market with continuing solid growth forecasted. austriamicrosystems therefore expects significant growth potential in China, mainly in the areas of Industrial Electronics and Communications.

"In industrial applications for the Chinese market we are focusing particularly on electronic electricity meters. We see a big opportunity here given our estimate of around 20 million electricity meters being produced per year in China alone," adds Franz Faschinger, head of the Industry & Medical business unit at austriamicrosystems AG. "In the USA and Europe we are already one of the top suppliers of components for electronic electricity meters. We want to achieve this leadership position in Asia as well."

In Communications, austriamicrosystems primarily sees demand for Application Specific Standard Products (ASSPs), along with Standard Linear ICs for both Power Management and Audio/Video functions in mobile devices. "We are already receiving positive feedback after strengthening our local presence, with serious project enquiries from Chinese customers," emphasizes John Heugle, CEO of austriamicrosystems AG.

At the same time, austriamicrosystems views the expansion of its design capabilities as a significant driver for continuing growth. In Bangalore, IT capital of India, the first design center in the Asian region has been opened to complement existing development centers in Austria, Italy and Switzerland. The new design center works closely with leading Indian IT firm Wipro Technologies, which specializes in digital systems design. The cooperation with Wipro Technologies strengthens austriamicrosystems' systems know-how and accelerates the development of leading edge products in the field of mobile entertainment electronics.

The new sales and design locations in Asia form part of austriamicrosystems' strategy of focused internationalization with particular emphasis on the Asia Pacific region, and will secure austriamicrosystems leading position in the design and manufacturing of microchips for both analog
and analog-oriented mixed signal applications.

1 Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), www.semichips.org

About austriamicrosystems
austriamicrosystems AG is a leading designer and manufacturer of highly integrated analog intensive mixed signal ICs. austriamicrosystems combines more than 20 years of design capabilities, product and marketing know-how with its own cutting edge analog manufacturing and test facilities. Operating worldwide with more than 800 employees, austriamicrosystems serves four strategic markets: Communications, Industry & Medical, Automotive and Full-Service Foundry. austriamicrosystems AG is listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange in Zurich (ticker symbol: AMS).