IQE Regulatory News (IQE)

18 Oct 2006 09:11

IQE PLC18 October 2006 For Immediate Release 18 October 2006 IQE plc (the "Company" or "IQE") New 'Strategic Supplier' selection for IQE IQE, the leading worldwide outsource supplier of customised wafer products andoutsource wafer services to the global semiconductor industry is pleased toannounce that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a leadingEuropean RF wireless chip foundry. The agreement concerns the supply of IQE'sepi-wafers to be used in their RF wireless switch products. The intention of thememorandum is that the customer will utilise IQE as its preferred externalsupplier of epi-wafers to complement their existing in-house epi-wafer capacity.As the customer's own product demand increases, it is anticipated that anyincrease in epi-wafer requirements beyond the customers internal capacity willflow directly to IQE as the customer's preferred external source. Commenting on the agreement Dr Drew Nelson, CEO of IQE plc, said, "IQE is verypleased to announce a new outsource arrangement with another leading supplier ofRF chips to the global wireless industry, having worked closely with thecustomer over the last twelve months to achieve fully 'qualified supplier'status. We will be working closely with the customer to fully realise all thebenefits of such an outsource arrangement to enable significant commercialbenefits to accrue to both parties. Again, this demonstrates the strength of theoutsource model, which is now becoming a key part of customers strategicconsiderations." For further information, please contact: IQE plc +44(0) 29 2083 9400Dr Drew Nelson, President & CEOStuart Hall, CFOChris Meadows, Investor Relations Noble & Company Limited +44(0) 20 7763 2200John Llewellyn-LloydGraeme Bayley Buchanan Communications +44(0) 20 7466 5000Tim ThompsonNicola Cronk About IQE IQE is now the leading provider of outsource epitaxial wafer services to theglobal semiconductor industry. Its wafer products include a portfolio ofcompound semiconductor wafers for use across the whole spectrum of optoelectronic and wireless applications, a range of advanced compound semiconductorsubstrates, and a comprehensive epi service of advanced products for the siliconindustry. The IQE Group operates state of the art manufacturing facilitiesutilizing all of the key crystal growth technologies, with facilities located inCardiff and Milton Keynes, UK and in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and Somerset, NewJersey USA. IQE's products are found in a diverse range of leading edgeconsumer, communication, computing and industrial applications, including acomplete range of wafer products for the wireless industry, including mobilehandsets and wireless infrastructure, optical communications, optical storage(CD, DVD), laser optical mouse, laser printers & photocopiers, thermal imagers,leading edge medical products, barcode, high efficiency LEDs and a variety ofadvanced silicon based systems. For further information about the IQE Group,please visit http://www.iqep.com. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange