May 7, 2008 — Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ:QCOM), and Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd., a.k.a. “Foxlink,” announce an agreement to open a new, dedicated fabrication plant in Taoyuan, Taiwan to manufacture Qualcomm’s next generation mirasol displays. Foxlink is a leading developer and manufacturer of communications devices, computers, and consumer electronics; the fabrication plant is slated to be fully operational in 2009.
Qualcomm’s mirasol displays promise substantial performance benefits over competing display technologies. They consume significantly less power, and allowing users to view content in almost every environment, even bright sunlight.
The collaboration solidifies Qualcomm MEMS Technologies’ strategy to support volume demands for future mirasol displays. As a result of the agreement, Qualcomm MEMS Technologies will be able to offer a more varied selection of display products while reducing the time to market of those products. The capabilities of the dedicated plant will increase efficiency, reduce costs and improve agility.
“We have seen a strong response to mirasol displays and have made significant traction in the last year,” said Jim Cathey, vice president of business development for Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc. “As a leader in supply chain management, Foxlink has decades of experience in delivering quality, timely products for global brand leaders. They are an ideal company with which to collaborate in delivering on the promise of mirasol’s low-power, highly reflective displays.”
In support of the effort, Foxlink has created a new business unit to support the production of Qualcomm MEMS Technologies’ mirasol displays. Foxlink currently employs a workforce of more than 43,000 employees and operates more than 15 design manufacturing and sales sites worldwide.
“Given our extensive manufacturing experience in the consumer electronics industry, Foxlink has established itself as a leading producer of consumer electronics components,” said John Chow, president, Microlink Communications Business Units, Systems Group, Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd. and chief technology officer of Foxlink Group. “This opportunity with Qualcomm MEMS Technologies presents us with the exciting challenges that come with manufacturing a true innovation. We look forward to bringing quality mirasol displays, in volume, to our customers.”