04:52 15Mar2005 TEXT-National Semiconductor to Sell PC Super I/O Business
(The following was issued by National Semiconductor Corp. <NSM.N>):
SANTA CLARA, Calif., March 15 - National Semiconductor Corporation (NYSE: NSM) today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell the company's PC Super I/O business to Winbond Electronics Corporation, based in Hsinchu Science Park, Taiwan, R.O.C.
The sale is consistent with National's ongoing program to maximize resources and support for the company's analog businesses.
Within National, this business is referred to as the Advanced PC division.
Pursuant to the agreement, Winbond will acquire intellectual property, assets and approximately 150 employees, most of whom are based at National's research and design center in Herzliya, Israel.
The PC Super I/O business unit's flagship products include the SafeKeeper(TM) Trusted I/O desktop and notebook devices, keyboard controllers and Server I/O
devices.
This business accounts for approximately 4 percent of National's current quarterly revenues.
"This sale benefits both companies," said Brian L. Halla, National's chairman, president and CEO. "National is committed to focusing on its core analog portfolio. Winbond, meanwhile, is well positioned to leverage our digital and mixed-signal IP with their established line of products for the computer, laptop and server markets."
"National's Advanced PC division will be a tremendous addition to our company and accelerate our ability to deliver high-end mixed signal, I/O and advanced
system solutions to our customers," said Arthur Chiao, chairman of Winbond.
The sale is expected to close during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005.
