Avezzano facility sold to LFoundry; Micron grants buyer long-term supply agreement

Seattle, USA, May 6, 2013 – ATREG, Inc., a global advisory firm to the semiconductor industry headquartered in Seattle, USA, announced today that it has successfully advised Micron Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq:MU) in the sale of its semiconductor manufacturing subsidiary whose primary asset consists of an advanced 200mm CMOS image sensor fab based in Avezzano, Italy. The facility was purchased by LFoundry, a leading German analog mixed-signal and specialized technologies foundry. As part of the agreement, Micron assigned the buyer its supply agreement with Aptina to manufacture image sensors at the Italian facility.  

“This transaction is a win-win situation,” explains Barnett Silver, senior vice president and principal at ATREG. “Aptina secures a long-term wafer supply while LFoundry gains access to an advanced, 200mm manufacturing operation. We are pleased to have been a part in facilitating such a successful outcome.”

- ends -

About ATREG, Inc.
ATREG, Inc. is a trusted advisor to the global semiconductor industry and related verticals – sectors that are subject to volatility, major capital investments, rapidly evolving technologies, fierce competition, and consolidation. Since its inception in 2000, ATREG has provided some of the world's largest and most reputable technology companies with objective market analysis, strategic advice, and transaction execution expertise for the merger, disposition, and acquisition of business units and operational assets. ATREG tailors a wide range of advisory services to the specific needs of its clients. For more information, please visit us online at www.atreg.com. 

About Aptina
Aptina is a global provider of CMOS imaging solutions that enable Imaging Everywhere™. Using performance-enhancing technologies, Aptina has created a market-leading portfolio of image sensor products found in the world’s leading consumer electronics. For additional information on Aptina, please visit www.aptina.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media contact
Muriel Guilbert
ATREG, Inc.
+1.425.829.3712
muriel.guilbert@atreg.com

Wharton School and ATREG Release Key Findings of Joint Global IDM Industry Study

Systematic analysis of the nature of challenges faced by semiconductor companies reveals IDM firms are faster to market with new product designs on existing manufacturing processes; fabless companies are faster to market with new designs on new manufacturing processes

Seattle, WA, November 6, 2012 – ATREG, Inc., a global advisory firm to the semiconductor industry headquartered in Seattle, USA and The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania today released the key findings of a joint global IDM (integrated device manufacturer) industry study – Managing Complexity & Change in the Semiconductor Ecosystem. The study, conducted by Wharton management professor Dr. Rahul Kapoor, is based on detailed responses from senior executives at 23 publicly listed IDM companies, including 11 of the 20 largest IDMs (2011 revenue). The study, which sheds light on a broad array of challenges and opportunities that IDM companies face within their ecosystem, reveals that IDM firms are faster to market with new product designs on existing manufacturing processes whereas fabless companies are faster to market with new designs on new manufacturing processes. The average time-to-market, defined as the period from design start to mass production, is about 11 months for a revision of an existing product design. It increases to about 17 months for a new product design. While IDMs are much faster to commercialize new designs on existing manufacturing processes, they seem on average slower to commercialize new designs on new manufacturing processes. This could reflect inherent differences in the extent of design manufacturing customization between fabless and IDM companies. The difference could also be due to the fact that fabless companies essentially contract for a newly available manufacturing process at a foundry whereas IDMs internally develop a new manufacturing process. The IDM study results were compared with those from fabless companies collected during an earlier study conducted by Dr. Kapoor in conjunction with GSA*.

Other key research findings include:

• Manufacturing strategy: In general, while the relationship with foundries is somewhat at an arm’s length, an IDM’s balanced manufacturing strategy seems to be paying off at least in the short term. The importance of having internal manufacturing was reinforced not only in terms of having a high level of coordination between product design and manufacturing activities, but also having greater leverage over foundries.

• Intellectual property (IP) reuse: On average, an IDM reuses about 73% of design IP in the revision of an existing product design and about 44% in a new product design.

• Source of IP: A large proportion of IP for IDMs continues to be internal (84%) with some IP dependence on third-party IP firms and foundry suppliers.

• IDM-foundry relationships: There are lower levels of information sharing and involvement in IDMs’ value-creating activities by foundry suppliers. This may be reflective of the conflicts and challenges that IDMs face in working simultaneously with both internal manufacturing units and external foundries. At the same time, this simultaneity also seems to provide some benefits to IDMs as foundries are much more likely to customize their manufacturing processes around the needs of their IDM customers.

• IDM-complementor relationships: Companies providing complementary products integrated in the customer’s application play an important role in enhancing the IDMs’ competitive position. Managing those more complex relationships means that IDMs pursuing collaborative innovation models need to explicitly develop organizational structures to effectively manage these new types of relationships.

“This study provides a systematic analysis of the nature of challenges and opportunities faced by IDMs that have traditionally depended on their internal manufacturing resources,” explains Dr. Kapoor, principal investigator of the research and author of the report. “We believe these findings will help semiconductor industry executives benchmark their business models and design their organizations, so they can leverage their internal capabilities as well as those within their ecosystem.”

“The quickening pace of change combined with increasing technological and market complexity makes the semiconductor industry one of the most challenging environments in which to compete. As a result, many companies are redesigning their business models not only within the company itself, but also at the collaborative interface between the company and its diverse set of partners,” adds Barnett Silver, senior vice president and principal for ATREG. “Key indicators such as the different sources of IP, the extent of IP reuse, the nature of competitive differentiation, and time-to-market drivers can help inform semiconductor companies’ technology strategies and outcomes.”

Notes to editors

The full Wharton-ATREG research report is available for download at http://www.atreg.com/Wharton_ATREG_IDM_industry_study_Nov2012_FINAL.pdf.

*Collaborative Innovation in the Global Semiconductor Industry: A Report on the Findings from the 2010 Wharton-GSA Semiconductor Ecosystem Survey, Dr. Rahul Kapoor / GSA, http://www.gsaglobal.org/gsa-resources/reports/collaborative-innovation-in-the-global-semiconductor-industry/

About ATREG, Inc.

Headquartered in Seattle, USA, ATREG is a global advisory firm to the semiconductor industry. The company provides some of the world's largest and most reputable companies with objective market analysis, strategic advice, and transaction execution expertise for the disposition and acquisition of operational assets. For more information, please visit us online at www.atreg.com. 

About the Wharton School

Founded in 1881 as the first collegiate business school, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is recognized globally for intellectual leadership and ongoing innovation across every major discipline of business education. With a broad global community and one of the most published business school faculties, Wharton creates ongoing economic and social value around the world. The school has 5,000 undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and doctoral students, more than 9,000 annual participants in executive education programs as well as a powerful alumni network of 91,000 graduates. For more information, please visit us online at http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media contact
Muriel Guilbert
ATREG, Inc.
425.829.3712
muriel.guilbert@atreg.com

ATREG Successfully Advises IDT on 200mm U.S. Fab Sale

Hillsboro, Oregon facility sold to Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Limited (AOS); Transaction completes IDT’s transition to fabless semiconductor company

Seattle, WA, February 15, 2012 – ATREG (Advanced Technology Resource Group), a Seattle-based advisory firm to the global semiconductor industry, announced today that it has successfully advised Integrated Device Technology, Inc. (IDT) (NASDAQ: IDTI) in the sale of its operational 200mm semiconductor manufacturing facility based in Hillsboro, Oregon. Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Limited (AOS) (NASDAQ: AOSL), a designer, developer, and global supplier of power semiconductors based in Sunnyvale, Calif., purchased the wafer fab and related assets, completing IDT’s transition from a fab-lite to a fabless business model.

The flexible campus, located close to the Portland-Hillsboro airport, includes a 50,000 square foot class-one cleanroom in which IDT manufactured standard logic, PLL, network ICs, SRAM, and multiport semiconductor products. The 25-acre, 245,000 square foot facility can be expanded to accommodate future growth.

“A fabless model will enable us to focus our resources and investments on innovative new product development, while outsourcing manufacturing to industry leading foundry partners,” explains Mike Hunter, vice president of worldwide manufacturing at IDT. “The sale of our fab to Alpha and Omega Semiconductor represented a win-win for IDT, AOS, and our Oregon employees. ATREG brought a well-defined process to assist us in this transaction.”

“A fabless company buying a fab is a new and innovative approach,” adds Barnett Silver, senior vice president and principal at ATREG. “We may see more of these kinds of transactions in future as other semiconductor companies rethink their manufacturing approach and follow in AOS’ footsteps.” 

- ends -

About ATREG, Inc.
Based in Seattle, WA, ATREG is a global advisory firm to the semiconductor industry. The company provides some of the world's largest and most reputable companies with objective market analysis, strategic advice, and transaction execution expertise for the disposition and acquisition of operational assets. With its extensive market knowledge, key industry relationships, and proven track record, ATREG has advised clients in transactions representing a combined market value of over $5 billion over the past 10 years. For more information, please visit us online at www.atreg.com. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media contact
Muriel Guilbert
425.829.3712
muriel.guilbert@atreg.com

ATREG Appoints International Advisory Board

High-profile semiconductor executives and influencers from around the world help steer company’s future growth and business direction

Seattle, WA, September 28, 2011 – ATREG (Advanced Technology Resource Group), a Seattle-based global advisory firm to the semiconductor industry, announced today that one year after becoming a successful independent entity, it has appointed an international advisory board made of five high-profile executives and influencers from North America, Europe, and Asia who have previously helped lead major global semiconductor organizations. Newly appointed advisory board members will help steer ATREG’s future growth and business direction by providing support across the full spectrum of ATREG’s business activities. ATREG is pleased to welcome to its international advisory board:

• Hideto Goto, senior advisor, ASE Japan, Inc. / management advisor, Unison Capital, Inc. (formerly managing director, NEC Semiconductors UK, and board member / executive vice president, NEC Electronics)
  
  
• Allen Lu, president, SEMI China (formerly China Fab Program Manager, Intel Technology Manufacturing and Engineering Group)
  
  
• Werner Mohr, senior advisor / consultant (formerly head of manufacturing engineering, semiconductor division, Siemens AG, and head of corporate logic, Infineon Technologies AG)

• Jack Saltich, senior semiconductor business and technology executive (formerly vice president and general manager of Advanced Micro Devices’ Dresden European Electronics Center)
  
  
• David Smukowski, CEO, Sensors in Motion (formerly managing director, Boeing Ventures)

“I am pleased about the opportunity to join ATREG in an advisory capacity,” explains Hideto Goto. “As the most trusted global advisory firm with $5 billion in sales in the past 10 years, ATREG brings the creative thinking and expertise global semiconductor companies need to explore new, innovative strategies with regards to the repurposing of their operational fab assets, so they can best capitalize on their global manufacturing investments.”

“After a year establishing ATREG as an independent advisory firm, we are ready to take the company to the next level, and the appointment of this international advisory board is a natural progression in our development to help us successfully achieve our objectives,” adds Stephen Rothrock, president and managing principal at ATREG. “We are pleased to welcome the brightest mentors from the four corners of the globe, and look forward to leveraging their wisdom, experience, independent perspectives, and objective analysis to ensure ATREG’s future growth and capitalize on new demand in the global semiconductor marketplace.”


Note to editors
For individual biographies of ATREG’s advisory board members, please visit our web site at http://atreg.com/advisory_board.html.

- ends -

About ATREG, Inc.
Based in Seattle, WA, ATREG is a global advisory firm to the semiconductor industry. The company provides some of the world's largest and most reputable companies with objective market analysis, strategic advice, and transaction execution expertise for the disposition and acquisition of operational assets. With its extensive market knowledge, key industry relationships, and proven track record, ATREG has advised clients in transactions representing a combined market value of over $5 billion over the past 10 years. For more information, please visit us online at www.atreg.com. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media contact
Muriel Guilbert
425.829.3712
muriel.guilbert@atreg.com

ATREG Named 42nd Best Company to Work For in Washington by Seattle Business Magazine

Company attributes first-time recognition in small business category to open and communicative culture

Seattle, WA, June 17, 2011 – ATREG (Advanced Technology Resource Group), a Seattle-based global advisory firm to the semiconductor industry, announced today that it was named 42nd Best Company to Work for in Washington by Seattle Business Magazine (Small Business category) at last night’s 21st Annual Awards Dinner held at the Westin Seattle. With this annual award, Seattle Business Magazine salutes the Washington companies that are setting the standard for leadership, strong benefits, best work environment, innovative training programs, and happiest employees. ATREG attributes its success to a cohesive team that shares an open and communicative culture based on such core values as utmost integrity, unparalleled customer service, a personalized approach, creative team work, and continuous learning.

“It has only been nine months since ATREG started operating as an independent entity whose mission is to inform decisions and execute complex transactions on behalf of the world’s leading semiconductor companies,” explains Stephen Rothrock, president and managing principal of ATREG. “Being recognized for the first time in front of our peers as one of the best places to work for in our region is a great tribute and testament to our team, and the culture based on trust that we foster as a company.”

- ends -

About ATREG, Inc.
Based in Seattle, WA, ATREG is a global advisory firm to the semiconductor industry. The company provides some of the world's largest and most reputable companies with objective market analysis, strategic advice, and transaction execution expertise for the disposition and acquisition of operational assets. With its extensive market knowledge, key industry relationships, and proven track record, ATREG has advised clients in transactions representing a combined market value of over $3 billion. For more information, please visit us online at www.atreg.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media contact
Muriel Guilbert
425.829.3712
muriel.guilbert@atreg.com

ATREG Acts as Exclusive Financial Advisor to Renesas in Recent Closed Sale of 200mm U.S. Manufacturing Fab to TELEFUNKEN

TELEFUNKEN acquires Roseville, CA fab for an estimated US$53 million; will use facility to manufacture own analog / mixed-signal high-voltage products as well as products for strategic foundry partners

Seattle, WA, May 31, 2011 – ATREG, Inc. (Advanced Technology Resource Group), a Seattle-based global advisory firm to the semiconductor industry, announced today that it acted as exclusive financial advisor to Renesas Electronics America Inc. in the recently announced sale of its 200mm semiconductor fab to TELEFUNKEN Semiconductors International LLC for an estimated US$53 million. Wafra Capital Partners L.P. and Somerset Capital Group Ltd. helped TELEFUNKEN finance the transaction. TELEFUNKEN will use the Roseville, Calif. facility to manufacture its own analog / mixed-signal high-voltage products as well as products for strategic foundry partners.  The buyer has also entered into a supply agreement with Renesas Electronics for manufacturing services at the Roseville factory, and kept the site’s entire workforce.

Renesas Electronics had been considering and implementing various measures to improve manufacturing efficiency by promoting larger wafers, finer process node, and production concentration. In line with these measures, the company decided to sell its Roseville, Calif. facility to TELEFUNKEN Semiconductors International, which had been searching for a new manufacturing facility to expand its semiconductor business.

“We were on an aggressive timeline for completing this transaction by the end of our fiscal year,” explains Yutaka Emoto, executive manager, corporate structure planning department, corporate planning division at Renesas Electronics Corporation based in Tokyo, Japan. “ATREG provided us with the expert financial advice, the key industry relationships, and the market knowledge we needed in order to move quickly and achieve a successful sale.”

“We are very pleased to see an international company making a significant investment in manufacturing in America,” comments Barnett Silver, senior vice president and principal at ATREG. “We are currently witnessing increasing investment in what are perceived as higher-cost regions where semiconductor companies can rely on higher available capacity, more affordable assets, strong IP protection, a highly trained workforce, and wage stability. The Renesas transaction is a perfect example of that unfolding trend.”

- ends -

About ATREG, Inc.
Based in Seattle, WA, ATREG is a global advisory firm to the semiconductor industry. The company provides some of the world's largest and most reputable companies with objective market analysis, strategic advice, and transaction execution expertise for the disposition and acquisition of operational assets. With its extensive market knowledge, key industry relationships, and proven track record, ATREG has advised clients in transactions representing a combined market value of over $3 billion. For more information, please visit us online at www.atreg.com.

Advisory firm’s papers based on real-world semiconductor success stories andinternal industry research educate technology companies on how to better compete in today’s volatile global economy

Seattle, WA, March 8, 2011 – ATREG, Inc. (Advanced Technology Resource Group), a Seattle-based global advisory firm to the semiconductor and advanced technology industries, announced today that it is presenting at both Global Semiconductor Forum (GSF) in Singapore and SEMICON China in Shanghai over the next two weeks. On March 11th at GSF, Doug Barrett, senior vice president and principal, will host a workshop entitled Top Six Critical Elements for a Successful Fab Sale from 2:45 to 3:50 pm at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore. On March 16th at SEMICON China, Barnett Silver, senior vice president and principal, will present Top 10 Considerations When Acquiring or Disposing of Advanced Technology Manufacturing Assets from 3:40 to 4:00 pm at the Shangri-La Kerry Hotel Pudong in Shanghai. Both papers that aim at educating technology companies on how to better compete in today’s volatile global economy leverage a series of real-world customer success studies involving leading global manufacturing IDMs and internal industry research collected over the past 12 years.

The market for semiconductor facilities in the U.S. and Western Europe is out of equilibrium with the supply of fabs outstripping demand for the facilities. This imbalance is largely due to memory companies shedding 200mm assets in favor of 300mm platforms, companies investing in lower-cost regions such as Asia, and the increasing trend toward foundry production. This results in downward pressure on fab sale prices, the potential for extended marketing times, and increasing pressure to close facilities and pursue alternative uses for the land and buildings.

“Since our inception in 1998, we have facilitated positive fab sales for their intended purpose despite tough market conditions,” explains Stephen Rothrock, managing principal and president of ATREG. “The key lies in how you approach the situation – no two manufacturing asset transactions are ever the same, and one size doesn’t fit all. The companies with the greatest chances of success are the ones that can think creatively and holistically about their deal structures, get a deep understanding of market dynamics, conduct an analysis of their strategic options early on in the process, and set realistic outcome expectations, so they make the best-informed decisions possible.”

Note to editors
Members of the media are cordially invited to attend ATREG’s Singapore and Shanghai presentations. To RSVP, receive a copy of the conference papers, or request a phone interview after the conferences, please email Muriel Guilbert at muriel.guilbert@atreg.com.

- ends -

About ATREG, Inc.
ATREG, Inc. is a global advisory firm specializing in the semiconductor and related advanced technology industries. Since 2000, ATREG has represented some of the world's largest and most reputable companies in the disposition and acquisition of assets and business units with a combined market value of more than US $3 billion. ATREG’s combination of consulting and transaction expertise has repeatedly helped senior management teams address important business needs surrounding organic and strategic growth, cost reduction and portfolio rationalization, and manufacturing / R&D strategy. ATREG’s market knowledge, industry relationships, and successful track record make us uniquely qualified to serve our clients. For more information, please visit us online at www.atreg.com. 

Seattle, September 14, 2010 - Colliers International, the world's third largest commercial real estate services organization, and ATREG (Advanced Technology Resource Group), Colliers' advanced technology manufacturing services division, jointly announced today that they have formed a strategic business alliance. ATREG has spun off into its own, independent advisory firm.

Under the agreement, ATREG, as its own company, will continue to provide semiconductor and advanced technology manufacturing clients with a wide range of services, including selling entire businesses or business units, process and product IP, and strategic consulting. Moving forward, Colliers International, ATREG's former parent company, will operate as ATREG's preferred real estate provider serving the needs of ATREG's clients globally.

ATREG is a leader in the rapidly growing global demand for single-source, strategic transaction advisory services in the semiconductor and advanced technology manufacturing industry, a market opportunity worth US$300 billion worldwide. The new business alignment between Colliers International and ATREG positions both enterprises to best leverage and focus on their individual, best-in-class service lines in a unique, highly specialized market. 

ATREG will now operate out of its new headquarters in Seattle, Washington, led by Stephen Rothrock, who previously served as the ATREG division's senior vice president and executive director. All ATREG division employees are transferring to the company's new location.

"The ATREG division has evolved into a top-tier advisory team completing complex transactions for some of the sector's largest, most recognized global companies in the semiconductor space," said Dylan Taylor, Chief Executive Officer in the U.S. for Colliers International. "Moving forward as separate entities, Colliers International looks forward to continuing a close, preferred working relationship with ATREG, and accelerating our clients' success."

Colliers International established ATREG in 1998, when the division was retained to sell its first semiconductor manufacturing facility, and then evolved to further specialize, expand and brand within the advanced technology industry.

"The ATREG team would like to thank Colliers International for its invaluable support over the past 12 years," adds Rothrock. "The key to our differentiation and success has been our unique combination of deep market knowledge and key industry relationships. Our objective moving forward is to continue to provide all the strategic transaction advisory services advanced technology companies need under one roof, expand our portfolio by staying on top of emerging market demand, and strengthen our foothold in key growing overseas markets such as Europe and Asia. Our customers already know us for best-in-class service, and can rely on nothing less for years to come as an independent company."

- ends -

About ATREG

Based in Seattle, WA, ATREG is the only global advisory firm providing semiconductor and advanced technology manufacturing companies with all the strategic transaction and advisory services they need to accelerate the success of complex asset acquisitions and dispositions. Since its inception in 1997, ATREG has represented more than US$3 billion in transactions, including operational fabs and cleanrooms sold for their intended purpose and as a going concern. In addition to operational sales involving supply contracts, labor and IP, ATREG has successfully sold advanced technology manufacturing facilities for alternative uses. ATREG documents the global supply and demand for semiconductor fabrication facilities and cleanrooms via an extensive database, and helps develop, or is privy to, many companies' strategic initiatives via key executive relationships. For more information, please visit us online at www.atreg.com.  

About Colliers International

Colliers International is a global leader in real estate services with more than 15,000 professionals operating out of 480 offices in 61 countries. As a subsidiary of FirstService Corporation, Colliers offers the stability of a strong financial partner and significant local ownership providing clients with accountability and enterprising real estate solutions. Colliers provides a full range of services to real estate users, owners and investors worldwide including: global corporate solutions; sales and lease brokerage; property and asset management; project management; hotel investment sales and consulting; property valuation and appraisal services; mortgage banking and insightful research. The Lipsey Company and National Real Estate Investor magazine ranked Colliers International as the world's number two commercial real estate brand.

ATREG has been appointed as Advisor for the Marketing of Qimonda Sites in Dresden, Germany

DRESDEN, Germany, June 2 /PRNewswire/ -- ATREG, a division of Colliers International, has been appointed as advisor to market the sale of the advanced 300mm manufacturing campus of Qimonda in Dresden, Germany.  The highly accessible campus, located in the State of Saxony, features a state-of-the-art 300mm semiconductor fab including 281 advanced front-end semiconductor manufacturing tools, an advanced 300mm research and development fab and 360,000 square-feet of administrative space.  The campus also includes excess land which could be used to construct a mirror-image of the existing 300mm fab, potentially doubling production capacity.

ATREG will focus on finding an operational purchaser for the facility.  As originally constructed, the facility was capable of producing DRAM chips with a maximum volume of approximately 10,000 wafers per week.  The fully automated, world-class Qimonda Dresden 300mm wafer fab was built in 2001 and was the world's first 300mm production facility.  The state-of-the-art, 300mm research & development facility was built in 2005.  The world-class 300mm equipment includes hundreds of advanced front-end manufacturing tools, many of which were used in volume production at 65nm.  Though production has ceased, the cleanrooms remain in a production-ready state so that a potential purchaser could restart operations quickly.  

"This is a unique offering of a world-class production-ready facility.  A semiconductor manufacturer has the ability to rapidly restart operations and take advantage of the strongest recovery in semiconductor market history," said Stephen Rothrock, Managing Director of ATREG.  "Last year's bold move of a major US semiconductor manufacturer to acquire a similar 300mm tool line in a US bankruptcy enabled them to create the world's first 300mm analog fab.  The offering in Dresden provides a unique opportunity for a semiconductor company to make a bold, strategic play," Rothrock added.

Qimonda has been a global supplier of dynamic random access memories (DRAM). Since the opening of insolvency proceedings on April 1, 2009, the production of memory chips at the Dresden site has been halted.

Experts have maintained the sophisticated facility and equipment in order to protect it from damage during the sales process.

Qimonda Dresden requests that all inquires are directed to ATREG, attention: Stephen Rothrock and Doug Barrett 206.268.7800.  

Seattle, May 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Colliers Advanced Technology Real Estate Group (ATREG) announced they represented Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. (Nasdaq: MXIM) in the purchase of Atmel(R) Corporation's (Nasdaq: ATML) 200mm semiconductor manufacturing facility. The 624,000 square foot facility is located in Irving, Texas on a 39-acre campus.

Doug Barrett, senior vice president & director of Colliers ATREG states, "This is a significant transaction as the global market has seen only one other sale of an empty fab for its intended purpose since 2000. It is a positive indication of the demand for viable, 200mm manufacturing facilities in primary locations."

In April 2007, Colliers ATREG represented Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMAT) in selling the company's 108,000 square foot highly customized R&D facility on four acres of land in Cheonan City, Korea. Bomyung, a Korean semiconductor manufacturer, purchased the property.

Colliers ATREG brokers, Stephen Rothrock, Doug Barrett, Erin Conger and Eric Larsen were involved in both sales. Colliers Korea brokers Jeff Oatman and Sean Kim teamed with Colliers ATREG on the Korean sale.

SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec 17, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML) today announced that LFoundry GmbH has entered into an exclusivity agreement with Atmel Rousset for the purchase of Atmel's wafer fabrication operation in Rousset, France. In accordance with French law, Atmel has presented the proposed acquisition to the employee representatives of the Works Council in Rousset. The Works Council is expected to render its opinion on the proposed transaction in the( )first quarter of 2010. If Atmel receives the approval of the Works Council, Atmel will seek authorization from its Board of Directors to enter into a definitive agreement with LFoundry GmbH. Proposed terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

"We are excited by the potential combination of LFoundry and our Rousset, France wafer fab operations which establishes Europe's largest analog and mixed-signal foundry and provides a socially responsible transition plan and continuation of employment opportunities for our workers in Rousset," said Steven Laub, Atmel's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are impressed by LFoundry's track record and look forward to a long-term partnership as Atmel plans to enter into a multi-year supply agreement with LFoundry. As previously announced, we are continuing to explore strategic alternatives for our ASIC business as part of our strategy to focus on our core, high growth, microcontroller business."

"We are very pleased and excited about the opportunity to acquire a state-of-the-art manufacturing operation that advances our technical capabilities as a leading-edge analog silicon foundry," said Michael Lehnert, LFoundry Chief Executive Officer. "This proposed acquisition positions the combined company as the largest analog and mixed-signal pure play foundry in Europe and is very strategic to our mission of rapidly growing our foundry business and providing unparalleled flexibility and support to our global customer base."

Based on the proposed terms of the sale, Atmel expects to record a non-cash impairment charge not to exceed $200 million in the fourth quarter of 2009.

SEATTLE, WA, August 12, 2009 - ATREG, a division of Colliers International, announced their formal appointment as advisor to IDT® (Integrated Device Technology, Inc.; NASDAQ: IDTI), in the sale of IDT’s operational 200mm semiconductor manufacturing facility in Hillsboro, Oregon.  The offering includes SMIF process tools and a potential wafer supply agreement.

The flexible Hillsboro campus, located in close proximity to the Portland-Hillsboro Airport, includes a 50,000 square foot class 1 cleanroom that manufactures standard logic, PLL, Network ICs, SRAM and Multiport semiconductor products.  The 25-acre, 245,000 square foot facility can be expanded to accommodate future growth, potentially doubling production capacity. 

“ATREG will focus on finding an operational purchaser for the IDT facility and its assets,” stated Doug Barrett, senior vice president and director of ATREG.  “A supply agreement with IDT, in-house failure analysis and test labs are components included in the offering and together with the size and location create a unique opportunity for a purchaser.”

“The well-trained, highly motivated workforce provides potential acquirers with a significant head start to quickly and easily bring new products and processes on-line,” said Mike Hunter, vice president of worldwide manufacturing for IDT.  “The fab currently utilizes 0.35 through 0.13 micron process technologies that are efficient, stable and portable to new products.”

ATREG represented Atmel Corporation in the sale of their operational 150mm fab in Heilbronn, Germany to Tejas Silicon Holdings (UK) Ltd.  The transaction included a wafer supply agreement, intellectual property licensing for significant analog and mixed signal process technology, a growing foundry business, and a lease of the 800,000 square foot campus. Technology included automotive qualified BCD on SOI, BiCMOS and BIPOLAR processes to 0.3µm. As part of the agreement, approximately 260 Atmel employees directly associated with fab operations and other support functions are now part of Tejas Silicon Holdings. With this most recent sale, ATREG has now assisted Atmel in the disposition of three front-end manufacturing plants – complementing Atmel’s restructuring efforts and accelerating the transition to a fab-lite manufacturing model.

Caen, France - October 29, 2008 - NXP Semiconductors, a global leader in the development and fabrication of advanced semiconductor solutions, today announced it has retained ATREG, the semiconductor sales division of Colliers International to sell its Integrated Passives Device business (IPD) and related operational 150mm semiconductor manufacturing facility in Caen, France.

The offering involves a full array of proven patents and IP, the existing business and technology development team and the R&D excellence center. The IP and patents center around integrated passive device (Passive Integrated Circuits) products that have direct applicability with cell phones, handheld devices, but also professional devices to bring performance, miniaturization and IP protection as well as cost reduction.

“NXP is willing to sell its Integrated Passives Device business along with the manufacturing operations. NXP is already a leader in this growing multi-billion dollar market and a purchase of the business would allow a buyer to instantly gain a substantial foothold in the marketplace,” said Stephen Rothrock, Colliers Senior Vice President and Managing Director of ATREG.  “The fab’s long history of manufacturing excellence and a highly esxperienced and motivated workforce make this a very attractive offering,” asserts Rothrock.

Jean-Yves Muller, Vice President and General Manager NXP Semiconductors France, added, "NXP selected Stephen Rothrock and Doug Barrett of ATREG to assist us with the Caen offering as we have with our East Fishkill offering. We feel they are uniquely qualified to help us capitalize on the global interest we have expereneced since our announcement.” Muller emphasized, “NXP realizes the unique value proposition of hte CAen offering and what this business could provide in terms of long-term revenue to a purchaser."

About NXP Semiconductors

NXP is a leading semiconductor company founded by Philips more than 50 years ago. Headquartered in Europe, the company has 31,000 employees working in more than 20 countries and posted sales of USD 6.3 billion (including the Mobile & Personal business) in 2007. NXP creates semiconductors, system solutions and software that deliver better sensory experiences in TVs, set-top boxes, identification applications, mobile phones, cars and a wide range of other electronic devices. News from NXP is located at www.nxp.com.

SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct 08, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML) today announced that it has entered into separate agreements with TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.) and Highbridge Business Park Limited for the sale of its eight-inch wafer fabrication equipment and related property located in North Tyneside, United Kingdom. The sale is subject to customary closing conditions, including a comprehensive consultation exercise with employees in accordance with best United Kingdom employment relations practice. Atmel had previously announced its intention to sell this facility as part of its strategic restructuring initiatives to reduce costs, accelerate growth and enhance profitability.

"The sale of our North Tyneside facility is a major step forward in transitioning Atmel to a fab-lite manufacturing model, which will improve our cost structure and increase shareholder value," said Steven Laub, Atmel's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are making measurable progress in enhancing Atmel's competitive position as we implement our strategic restructuring initiatives and optimize our manufacturing capacity to improve Atmel's financial strength."

Mr. Laub continued, "Atmel has many hard working, dedicated employees, who serve our customers and our company admirably. We are committed to treating employees with respect and helping ease the transition for employees at the North Tyneside facility as production is concluded."

To ensure a seamless transition for its customers, Atmel will continue to manufacture products at the North Tyneside facility into the first quarter of 2008, during which time production will be redeployed to the Company's manufacturing operations in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Rousset, France as well as to external foundries.

Under the terms of the agreements, TSMC has agreed to purchase Atmel's eight-inch wafer fabrication equipment, and Highbridge Business Park Limited has agreed to purchase the North Tyneside land and buildings for a combined total of $124 million in cash. The Company expects to record a gain of up to $40 million offset by related restructuring charges of up to $50 million. The timing for recording the gains and restructuring charges will be determined once all selling contingencies and closing conditions are finalized. The transaction is expected to be approximately neutral on a cash flow basis after the elimination of $35 million of debt and the recognition of other financial charges.

This sale follows the previously announced sale of Atmel's Irving, Texas wafer fabrication facility for approximately $38 million in cash. With these transactions and the progress on the Company's other restructuring initiatives, Atmel continues to increase its focus on and investment in the Company's high-growth, high-margin proprietary product lines. 

Seattle, May 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Colliers Advanced Technology Real Estate Group (ATREG) announced they represented International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE: IBM) in the sale-leaseback of their advanced technology manufacturing facility located in Guadalajara, Mexico.  The 1.2 million square foot, 3-building facility is sited on a 129 acre campus and the acquisition includes a contiguous 54 acre land parcel capable of supporting up to 1.5 million square feet of future development.  IBM uses the facility for research & development, manufacturing, and distribution operations of its laptop division. 

Stephen Rothrock, senior vice president & managing director of Colliers ATREG states, “This advanced infrastructure facility is well located in the established El Salto industrial submarket of Guadalajara in Mexico’s 'Silicon Valley' - so named because of the number of technology companies positioned there.” 

Colliers ATREG brokers, Stephen Rothrock, Doug Barrett, Erin Conger and Eric Larsen, together with local Colliers Guadalajara broker, Doug McMurray, represented the seller, IBM in the sale to AMB Property Corporation (NYSE: ABM). 

Seattle, Wash., May 16, 2006 – Colliers International’s Advanced Technology Real Estate Group (Colliers ATREG) announced that it has represented LSI Logic Corporation (LSI) in completing the sale of the company’s Gresham, Oregon 200 millimeter semiconductor manufacturing facility to ON Semiconductor Corp.’s primary operating subsidiary, Semiconductor Components Industries LLC (SCI).  

The facility sold for approximately $105 million in cash.  

"We greatly appreciated Colliers ATREG’s global marketing effort, which helped LSI reach an agreement with a qualified buyer within the time period we established," said David Sanders, vice president of Strategic Alliances, LSI Logic. 

The initial sale agreement was announced April 6, 2006.  Colliers ATREG’s Stephen Rothrock, senior vice president and Doug Barrett, senior vice president, represented LSI Logic Corporation in the transaction.  The Seattle based ATREG team includes senior managers Erin Conger and Eric Larsen and was assisted in the sale by Paul Breuer, senior vice president of industrial/flex properties in Portland, Oregon. 

“A key driver to putting the sale together was the buyer’s ability to acquire a 500,000 square foot operational facility on 83 acres including advanced geometry tools and a contract to supply wafers to LSI,” said Rothrock.  “There are multiple semiconductor facilities on the market but the superior fab and experienced LSI workforce along with the supply contract were distinctive characteristic of this offering.   

“The fact that the facility was operational gave the buyer speed to market and as an added bonus kept several hundred jobs in the local area,” said Barrett. “Despite a difficult market cycle and complex aspects of the assignment, we were able to create a competitive environment, with multiple interested parties, from which a qualified purchaser was selected and a mutually advantage transaction was negotiated.”