UMC Receives Six Sigma Quality Award from iML

HSINCHU, May 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- United Microelectronics Corporation (NYSE: UMC; TWSE: 2303) ("UMC"), a leading global semiconductor foundry and Integrated Memory Logic (iML) (TWSE: 3638), a fabless semiconductor design company, jointly announced today that UMC has received the Six Sigma Quality Award from iML in recognition of twelve continuous months of six sigma process control for iML products. The award was presented to UMC by iML's Chief Executive Officer, Shuen Chang, to Mr. JH Shyu, UMC's senior vice president in charge of the foundry's 12, 8, and 6-inch fab operations, at a ceremony in Taiwan today.

JH Shyu said, "We are honored to receive this award from iML. We place enormous value on our relationship with iML and appreciate the acknowledgment of UMC's dedication and hard work. UMC's team is committed to pursuing excellence in order to provide customers and partners with top-quality products and unrivaled service and support each day. We look forward to continuing our productive relationship with iML."

IML currently manufactures many of its parts at UMC, including integrated circuits containing its leading edge Gamma (P-gamma) and V_com  technology. The company closely monitors the Statistical Process Control (SPC) data for the 13 key process steps involved in the manufacture of IML products, analyzes the data and calculates the Process Capability Index (C_pk), which measures how close a process is running to its specification limits, relative to the natural variability of the process.  IML found that in the twelve month period from Mar 2012-Mar 2013, the Process Capability Index (C_pk)at Wafer Fabrication Plant 8AB used to manufacture iML products achieved a minimal rating of 2.0 (which is equivalent to a Six Sigma standard of quality) consistently across all production during the period, and in many batches achieving even higher standards.   

"iML's customers have stringent quality and performance requirements," said Shuen Chang.   "Working with UMC and vendors like them, iML customers can be assured of the highest level of quality and performance that not only meet but exceeds their requirements.  We look forward to continued outstanding processing quality and performance for our products from UMC, which will translate into better product performance for our customers, and lower life-cycle cost of ownership."

Note to Editors

About UMC

UMC (NYSE: UMC, TWSE: 2303) is a leading global semiconductor foundry that provides advanced technology and manufacturing for applications spanning every major sector of the IC industry. UMC's robust foundry solutions allow chip designers to leverage the company's leading-edge processes, which include 28nm poly-SiON and gate-last High-K/Metal Gate technology, mixed signal/RFCMOS, and a wide range of specialty technologies. Production is supported through 10 wafer manufacturing facilities that include two advanced 300mm fabs; Fab 12A in Taiwan and Singapore-based Fab 12i. Fab 12A consists of Phases 1-4 which are in production for customer products down to 28nm. Construction is underway for Phases 5&6, with future plans for Phases 7&8. The company employs over 13,000 people worldwide and has offices in Taiwan, Japan, mainland China, Singapore, Europe, and the United States. UMC can be found on the web at http://www.umc.com.

About iML

Integrated Memory Logic (iML) is a fabless semiconductor company which develops and markets application specific analog, power management, and mixed signal integrated circuits. Its ICs are optimized primarily for the display, mobile systems and lighting markets.  It is an industry leader in the field of color control management, and has an extensive portfolio of products in power management and LED drivers.  It maintains a strong footprint close to its customers and supply chain in Asia, and markets extensively to OEMs and system manufacturing houses in mainland China, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan. Founded in 1996, it is incorporated in the Cayman Islands with offices in the US and Asia, and listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange. 

Media Contacts:

Richard Yu
UMC
Tel: +886-2-2658-9168 ext. 16951
Email: richard_yu@umc.com

Mr. Terence Wu
iML (Taiwan)
Tel: +886-02-2658-5993 Ext 104
Email:  terencewu@iml-inc.com

Daniel Teo
iML (USA)
Tel: +1-408-558-3404
Email: danielteo@iml-inc.com