Fairchild Imaging Teams with Supertex for Enhanced CCD Fabrication

Milpitas, CA (PRWEB) March 8, 2007

Fairchild Imaging, Inc., a leading developer of CCD and CMOS image sensors and cameras, has entered into a strategic teaming relationship with Supertex, Inc. for custom foundry services. The multi-year agreement strengthens Fairchild Imaging's position in the high-performance imaging market by combining Supertex's specialty foundry with Fairchild Imaging's world-class team of image sensor designers.

The strategic agreement for foundry services further transitions Fairchild Imaging from an integrated device manufacturer to a fabless semiconductor model. Fairchild Imaging began the transition in 2003 when it recognized the need to balance its portfolio with both CCD and CMOS image sensors to allow the company to deliver the right imaging technology with the best value to the marketplace. Colin Earle, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Fairchild Imaging, commented, "I'm excited by the potential of this partnership with Supertex. Together, we will continue to enhance the state of the art of imaging technology with offerings such as our CCD/CMOS hybrid imagers as well as drive down costs for high-resolution wafer-scale image sensors".

Supertex has licensed Fairchild Imaging's intellectual property for the manufacture of large-area CCD imagers and the two companies have established a close working relationship to rapidly deliver these cutting edge devices to the marketplace. "Supertex's license of our unique processes and know-how allows us to bring the next generation of wafer-scale CCDs to the performance imaging market. Their 150-mm fab line employs many of the same tools as our own fab and this, combined with their close proximity, has facilitated a very natural and effective partnership", noted Fairchild Imaging President and CEO, Charles J. Arduini. "Fairchild Imaging's CCD design expertise and strong presence in aerospace, defense, medical and scientific imaging is synergistic with Supertex's Imaging and medical business focus, and the large size of their imagers combined with their volume will be an excellent contribution to our capacity utilization.", stated Supertex President and CEO, Dr. Henry C. Pao.

About Fairchild Imaging, Inc.

Fairchild Imaging is a designer and manufacturer of CCD and CMOS image sensors and cameras for aerospace, industrial, medical and scientific imaging. Located in Milpitas, CA, Fairchild Imaging is a privately held corporation whose major investors include The Carlyle Group, BAE Systems, and management. Information about Fairchild Imaging is available on the worldwide web at http://www.fairchildimaging.com

About Supertex, Inc.

Supertex, Inc. is a publicly held mixed signal semiconductor manufacturer, focused on high voltage interface products for use in the telecom/networking, imaging, medical and consumer/industrial/computing markets. Information about Supertex, Inc. is available on the worldwide web at: http://www.supertex.com

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