Microsemi Marks 20 Years in Ireland and Names Ennis as its European Headquarters

ALISO VIEJO, Calif., Aug. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsemi Corporation, a leading provider of semiconductor solutions differentiated by power, security, reliability and performance, today officially named its Ennis, Ireland facility as its European headquarters.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110909/MM66070LOGO)

The announcement represents a significant endorsement of the work of the Ennis facility and its contribution to the wider Microsemi global network. Ennis has been a world class facility and a key contributor in the manufacturing processes of the company's high reliability products, and is well-poised to contribute to Microsemi Corporation's planned expansion and growth strategy. The Ennis facility has recruited an additional 50 staff so far in 2012, taking headcount at the site to approximately 300. The continued availability of skilled staff in the region will assist the Ennis facility to develop new products and grow key research and development functions.

The announcement was made at a celebration commemorating the company's 20-year anniversary in Ireland, which was attended by several senior company executives including James J. Peterson, Microsemi's president and chief executive officer.

In conjunction with naming Ennis its European headquarters, Peterson announced the inaugural Microsemi Scholarship in Engineering at the prestigious University of Limerick. In addition, the company funded a high-profile science and aerospace engineering programme in St. Flannan's school in Ennis.

"We have been impressed at Microsemi with the calibre of engineering graduates in Ireland and we are confident about the future of the skill base in Ireland, hence our decision to make Ennis our European headquarters," said Peterson. "Naming Ennis our European headquarters is a testament to the hard work and talent of the many employees who have built this facility into a world-class manufacturing, sales and engineering center and gateway for our European operations."

"As part of our commitment to Ireland, we are proud to sponsor an engineering scholarship at the University of Limerick and a programme at St. Flannan's to cultivate interest in science and innovation," continued Peterson.

Microsemi works closely with the Industrial Development Authority (IDA Ireland), which is responsible for attracting and developing overseas investment in Ireland.  According to Peterson, support from IDA Ireland was a key factor in the company's decision to invest in the region.

"Microsemi is a growing company with ambitious plans and Ennis is well-positioned to contribute to this growth," said Barry O'Leary, chief executive officer of IDA. "The contribution of the company to the local economy and community is highly significant, and it is gratifying to see the partnership strengthening with the announcement that Ennis is to become its European headquarters."

Microsemi: Committed to Ireland
Microsemi established its presence in Ireland in 1992 through the acquisition of a facility in Ennis Co. Clare.  Over the past five years, Microsemi has made a significant investment in its Ennis operations and now employs approximately 300 people, making it one of the largest employers in the area. Microsemi's annual spend in Ireland is in excess of US $25 million annually and it continues to recruit engineers and other technical professionals.

The Ennis facilities key competencies are the development, manufacturing and high reliability testing of semiconductors to meet stringent aerospace, satellite, medical and security standards and it is now one of the largest such facilities globally. Microsemi also has a design group in Dublin which is focused on advanced system-on-chip (SoC) software and solutions with an emphasis on ARM processor-centric designs.

Microsemi and the Microsemi logo are registered trademarks or service marks of Microsemi Corporation and/or its affiliates. Third-party trademarks and service marks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Any statements set forth in this news release that are not entirely historical and factual in nature, including without limitation statements related to its naming Ennis, Ireland its European headquarters, and its potential effects on future business, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, such factors as rapidly changing technology and product obsolescence, potential cost increases, variations in customer order preferences, weakness or competitive pricing environment of the marketplace, uncertain demand for and acceptance of the company's products, adverse circumstances in any of our end markets, results of in-process or planned development or marketing and promotional campaigns, difficulties foreseeing future demand, potential non-realization of expected orders or non-realization of backlog, product returns, product liability, and other potential unexpected business and economic conditions or adverse changes in current or expected industry conditions, difficulties and costs of protecting patents and other proprietary rights, inventory obsolescence and difficulties regarding customer qualification of products. In addition to these factors and any other factors mentioned elsewhere in this news release, the reader should refer as well to the factors, uncertainties or risks identified in the company's most recent Form 10-K and all subsequent Form 10-Q reports filed by Microsemi with the SEC. Additional risk factors may be identified from time to time in Microsemi's future filings. The forward-looking statements included in this release speak only as of the date hereof, and Microsemi does not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

SOURCE Microsemi Corporation