Microchip Technology Inc., a provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, today announced the shipment of its 1 billionth lead-free device.
CHANDLER, Arizona — Microchip Technology Inc., a provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, today announced the shipment of its 1 billionth lead-free device. Since announcing the conversion of its product packaging to environmentally friendly Pb-free plating last year, Microchip has quickly and efficiently shipped a large volume of converted products to help speed regulatory compliance. Microchip's customers have appreciated this efficient conversion to the new matte tin plating material, which ensures that Microchip Pb-free products are backward compatible with Pb-based soldering processes, and forward compatible with higher-temperature Pb-free processes.
The European Union "Restrictions on Hazardous Substances" (RoHS) directive is scheduled to go into effect on July 1, 2006, and governs all electronic equipment manufactured or sold in the European Union member countries. This directive limits the amount of Pb in electronic equipment. By enabling customers to convert to Pb-free semiconductors early, Microchip has helped them to eliminate Pb from their manufacturing processes well ahead of schedule.
"Microchip is committed to manufacturing our industry-leading embedded control semiconductors in an environmentally responsible manner," said Steve Sanghi, Microchip's president and CEO. "By shipping 1 billion Pb-free devices well ahead of regulatory mandates, Microchip has successfully demonstrated our ability to combine environmentalism and commerce."
Sanghi added, "Excluding the production of semiconductors for automotive and other select accounts who want us to continue to make tin-lead devices, over 99 percent of the rest of Microchip's production now consists of Pb-free devices. However, our shipments of Pb-free devices are slightly less than that as we deplete the remaining inventory of tin-lead devices over the next few months."
All of Microchip's packages are available now in the new matte-tin, Pb-free finish for samples and volume production. Customers may receive SnPb or Pb-free material during the remainder of 2005, while the existing inventory of SnPb-plated products is depleted and replaced with Pb-free material. For additional information or special requirements, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip's Web site at http://www.microchip.com/pbfree.
About Microchip Technology: Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP) is a provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost and faster time to market for thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. Headquartered in Chandler, Ariz., Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip Web site at www.microchip.com.
Source: Business Wire, Microchip Technology, Inc.
