| Micron Technology, Inc. | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Type | Public (NYSE: MU) |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Headquarters |  Boise, Idaho, USA |
| Key people | Steve Appleton, Chairman, CEO & President |
| Industry | Semiconductors |
| Products | Computer memory, CMOS Image sensors |
| Revenue |  $4,880.2 million USD (2005) |
| Employees | 22,600 |
| Subsidiaries | Crucial Technology Lexar Media, Inc. SpecTek |
| Slogan | Capture. Move. Store. |
| Website | www.micron.com |
Micron Technology ("Micron") NYSE: MU is a multinational company based in Boise, Idaho, USA, best known for producing many forms of semiconductor devices. This includes DRAM, SDRAM, flash memory, and CMOS image sensing chips. Most consumers are more familiar with its consumer brand Crucial Technology. Micron Technology is among the Worldwide Top 20 Semiconductor Sales Leaders.
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History
Micron was founded in Boise, Idaho, in 1978 by Ward Parkinson, Joe Parkinson, Dennis Wilson, and Doug Pitman. Startup funding was provided by local Idaho businessmen Tom Nicholson, Allen Noble, and Ron Yanke. Later it received funding from Idaho billionaire J. R. Simplot, whose fortune was made in the potato business. In 1981, its first wafer fabrication unit ("Fab 1") was completed and Micron was producing 64K DRAM chips. A second "fab" was completed in late 1984 to produce 256K DRAM chips. By focusing on being a low-cost producer, Micron survived numerous collapses in the DRAM market which caused many competitors to leave the industry. One of the most vicious was in 1985, when allegations of Japanese import dumping fueled a price collapse that caused DRAM inventor Intel to leave the market. Micron survived and eventually acquired the memory businesses of rivals Texas Instruments in 1998 and Toshiba in 2001. These acquisitions gave Micron an international presence with production facilities in Italy, Singapore, and Japan. Today Micron is the only DRAM manufacturer in the United States and its primary competitors include Infineon Technologies, Samsung, Hynix, and Elpida. In 1994, founder Joe Parkinson retired as CEO and was replaced with current CEO Steve Appleton. In the early 1990s the company formed Micron Computers (later known as Micron Electronics) to manufacture PCs. The subsidiary was based in nearby Nampa, Idaho, and sold computers under the brand names Micron, and later, MicronPC & MicronPC.com. In 1998 Micron Technology acquired Rendition, a maker of 3D graphics chips. Control of Micron Technology's Internet business, Micron Internet Services, was transferred to Micron Electronics in 1999. Micron Electronics took on a new focus - bundling computers and Internet services. Controversial MEI CEO Joel Koecher purchased Internet firm HostPro (Web.com), merging it in to the company. In 2001, the computer-making and Internet business were split. The Internet assets were merged with Interland Inc, which changed its name to web.com, and all ties to Micron Technology were severed. The computer-making operations were sold to Gores Technology Group, which later re-branded the MicronPC brand name to "MPC Computers". MPC Computers, now owned by the MPC Corporation (formerly HyperSpace Communications, Inc.) continues to operate out of nearby Nampa, ID. In 2004-2005 an investigation was carried out into a worldwide DRAM price fixing conspiracy during 1999-2002 that damaged competition and raised PC prices. As a result, Samsung is to pay $300 million fine, Hynix was to pay $185 million in 2005, Infineon: $160 million in 2004. Micron Technology cooperated with prosecutors and no fine is expected. In June 2007, Steve Appleton gave up the title of President to COO Mark Durcan. In October 2007, the company introduced MT9V023 sensor that enables a more perceptive driving experience by providing an intuitive look at the drive ahead or the view behind. This automobile image sensor will find applications in smart cars. Micron makes RAM in different grades. For computer RAM - DDR2 SDRAM, Micron makes the models "D9GKX", "D9GMH" and "D9GCT". All three are considered high grade RAM, sought by computer enthusiasts.
Financials
The company posted a net loss of $225 million ($0.29 per diluted share) on net sales of $1.3 billion for the third quarter of fiscal 2007.
References
See also
External links
- Micron Technology, Inc (company website)
- Milestones of Micron Technology at micron.com
- Crucial.com (Consumer sales for Micron memory)
- Lexar - Subsidiary of Micron Technology
- IM Flash, an Intel, Micron Venture
- [1] (Article reporting Micron's refusal to extend benefits to LGBT employees)
