MICROELECTRONICS NEWSLETTER
June 26, 1976

INTERSIL
ICE views the prospective merger between Intersil and Advanced Memory Systems as a good one. The product lines are complimentary. Under Ori Hoch's management, the technical capabilities of Intersil can be put to work making money. Marshall Cox provided little day-to-day discipline at Intersil. Contrary to Hoefler, it is our opinion that Ori Hoch is a friendly but extremely hard- nosed individual. We are certain that Ori will have no problems with discipline. Ori intends to take a dual approach to the memory business, both at the component as well as the completed memory system level.

NATIONAL - AMS
AMS is increasing its staff, both at the systems and device level. It appears to us they intend to re-establish themselves as the leader in custom IC's.

FAIRCHILD
Fairchild's inability to solve its bipolar and MOS problems is due to the handling of personnel and the short-term aspects of Fairchild's budget. Some problems simply take longer than six months to solve. New products must be planned a year or two ahead. National should surpass Fairchild in gross sales. We do look for Fairchild's success in the watch market and in test systems markets.

APPLIED MATERIALS
There is a substantial resurgence of business in the semiconductor equipment and materials market. This resurgence was evident at the recent SEMI show.

AMI - Warren Wheeler
Warren gained the reputation as an overpromoted technician at AMI. It's difficult to see how he would fit in to present-day problems at American Micro systems. (Siemens is actively pursuing staff and may acquire additional companies in the U. S.)

FAIRCHILD - MOS
With the exception of the acquired Exetron division under Don Brown, Fairchild still limps along in its MOS program.

NATIONAL $24.95 PRICE
Attached is an advance page from our watch program which pretty well outlines the profitability potential of the low-price watches.

MOTOROLA CUTBACKS
Motorola's indiscriminate personnel cutbacks caused major problems. It will take several years for Motorola to regain their position in the marketplace. Art Stein has gained notable reputation as a good process man in production. Marketing and device design skills are still required.

HOEFLER'S CASE NO. 375 (  page: 1  2  )
Paul Leighton was general manager at CentraLab's facility in El Monte, CA. CentraLab is owned by Globe-Union. Paul came from the profitable battery division to head up the semiconductor operation. Nobody at CentraLab picked up the ball after Paul left some years ago, to start his own business before retirement.