Company Profile: RFMD

Company History

In 1991, William (Bill) J. Pratt, Powell T. Seymour and Jerry D. Neal founded RF Micro Devices® in Greensboro, North Carolina. Their mission was to bring gallium arsenide (GaAs) heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) technology to the burgeoning wireless communications semiconductor marketplace, also in its early stages of growth. By 1995, RFMD7reg; had become a recognized leader in the development of advanced communications technology for cellular handsets, and, by 1996, the Company’s GaAs HBT power amplifiers—pioneered by Bill Pratt—had become the gold standard for amplification in digital cellular handsets. RFMD grew rapidly and, in September 2000, Fortune magazine recognized RFMD as the second fastest-growing company in America, with revenue of approximately $325 million. In April 2007, RFMD reported revenue of approximately $1 billion.

Soon thereafter, RFMD formed the Multi-Market Products Group (MPG), with the aim of leveraging into multiple industries their leadership in the design and manufacture of RF components and compound semiconductor technologies. In November 2007, RFMD completed the acquisition of Sirenza Microdevices, significantly bolstering its diversification efforts and creating the world’s largest, most diversified and best-positioned RF company.

Company Today

In 2008, RFMD will proudly celebrate its 17th year as a provider of high-performance semiconductor components. In the cellular handset marketplace, RFMD delivers its industry-leading cellular front ends to all of the top-five mobile device manufacturers, with an estimated 45 percent of the world’s handsets containing an RFMD power amplifier. RFMD’s Cellular Products Group (CPG) remains focused on its core, high-volume cellular front end business while pursuing other opportunities to diversify its cellular components portfolio. CPG’s business provides the Multi-Market Products Group (MPG) significant competitive advantages by enabling large scale manufacturing, rich technology innovation and a deep knowledge of system architectures. MPG leverages these strengths to focus on a diverse set of RF, microwave and millimeter wave component opportunities across a broad range of markets, including wireless infrastructure, broadband, Wi-Fi and WiMAX, consumer, and aerospace & defense.

RFMD is a recognized leader in high-performance semiconductor components, supporting multiple industry segments with a total addressable market (TAM) exceeding $20 billion and growing. RFMD continues to expand its product offerings and addressable markets, which leverage its unique core competencies. Its core markets are fast-growing and lucrative, providing the opportunity to increase the value of RFMD for its customers and stakeholders.