March 11, 2002 - National Semiconductor Corporation (NYSE: NSM) today announced it has received the prestigious Gold quality award from Stack International, a widely recognized association of electronic equipment manufacturers that represents the world's largest group of users of electronic components.
This is the third time National has been presented with a Stack award. The company received the association's Gold award in 1999 and a Bronze award in 2001.
The Stack awards are presented each year to the top three semiconductor manufacturers for consistent achievement and overall performance in meeting the quality, delivery and service criteria of Stack members --which include leading companies in computer, telecommunications, aviation and space and contract manufacturing.
Zia Fatherazi, Managing Director of Stack, said, "Over the 12 years that the Stack Award program has been running, National Semiconductor has consistently been among the top suppliers to the Stack members. During the recent industry downturn they have shown their determination to maintain continuous improvement against the Stack supplier performance measurement criteria to once again take the top position."
"Winning the Stack Gold award for the second time in four years is truly an honor and reflects the effectiveness of National's ongoing programs for continuous quality improvement," said Jim Gordon, Vice President of Worldwide Quality and Reliability for National Semiconductor.
Over the past four years, National has reduced its overall defect rate by 90 percent and meets even more stringent quality performance rates of less-than-five parts per million for specific product lines.
Since 1998, National has received 35 awards from its worldwide customer base including several awards for zero defect performance.
"Our people are dedicated to making National Semiconductor the pre-eminent supplier of semiconductor products of the highest quality and reliability," Gordon added. "These awards are concrete evidence that the dedication of our employees to our quality culture is the differentiating factor in this success. We continue the journey to be the best."
Current Stack International members include AG Communication Systems, Aircraft Braking Systems, The Boeing Company, Boeing Satellite Systems, Bookham Technology, Celestica Inc., Eldec Corp., Honeywell International, Italtel, and Litton Guidance and Control Systems (A N Grumman Company). Other members are Lockheed Martin, Lucent Technologies, Marconi Communications, Nortel Networks, Northrop Grumman, Pace Micro Technology, Rockwell Collins Inc., Siemens Communications, Smiths Aerospace and United Technologies.
About National Semiconductor
National Semiconductor is the premier analog company driving the information age. Combining real-world analog and state-of-the-art digital technology, the company is focused on the fast growing markets for wireless handsets; information appliances; information infrastructure; and display, imaging and human interface technologies. With headquarters in Santa Clara, California, National reported sales of $2.1 billion for the last fiscal year and employs about 9,800 people worldwide. Additional company and product information is available on the World Wide Web at www.national.com.
