Overview
Micron is one of the world's leading semiconductor companies. Our DRAM components, modules, and NAND Flash memory products are used in everything from computing, networking, and server equipment, to consumer, mobile, automotive, and industrial applications. We're an innovator and industry leader, developing groundbreaking technologies that transform what's possible. We're also a partner with other manufacturers and enablers, making it easier for our customers to try new things and gain competitive advantages in their markets.
Innovative Technology
For the past several years, Micron has consistently ranked among the top 10 most prolific patent registrants in the United States. We've also excelled in terms of the quality of those patents.
In March of 2009, The Patent Board ranked Micron’s patents second among all semiconductor companies--a score that was bolstered by high ratings for science strength and industry impact. Our consistantly high ranking underscores the importance places on building one of the most valuable patent portfolios in the world. It's a mindset that has enabled us to maintain our lead over several much larger companies who actually recorded more patents on the year.
Like our legendary 6F² design feature size shrink—which was years ahead of competitive technology—Micron continues to unveil innovations that illustrate the leading technology position we have in the industry. Semiconductor Insights recognized two of our designs with its coveted “Most Innovative” awards in March of 2009. They chose our 50nm DRAM (which uses the smallest cell size to date in a DRAM device) and our 34nm NAND process technology (the first sub-40nm NAND) as two of the most significant advancements in semiconductor technology that year.
It’s these kinds of advancements and innovations that are the core of Micron’s strength and continue to move our business toward greater efficiency and a stronger competitive position.
Stock Information
Micron Technology, Inc. , became a publicly held company in June 1984 with the sale of 2.2 million shares of common stock at an initial price of $14 per share (22 million shares at $1.40 adjusted for splits). The Company was initially listed on the NASDAQ exchange under the "DRAM" symbol.
In November 1990, Micron was listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), where its common stock trades today under the "MU" symbol. As of March 5, 2009, the Company had 774 million shares outstanding.
Facilities
We leverage Micron’s global operations to design and manufacture products and support customers around the world. The close coordination of research, manufacturing, and support functions helps us deliver high-quality products that meet our customers' requirements while achieving low cost production through decreased manufacturing cycle times and increased yields.
The Company has wholly owned wafer fabrication facilities in Boise, Idaho, Manassas, Virginia, Avezzano, Italy, and Nishiwaki City, Japan; wholly owned assembly and test operations in Boise, Idaho, Xi’an, China, and Singapore; and memory module assembly operations in Boise, Idaho, Singapore, East Kilbride, Scotland, and Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.
TECH Semiconductor Singapore Pte. Ltd. is a DRAM joint venture company between Micron Technology, Inc., Canon Inc., and HP Singapore. IM Flash Technologies (IMFT), Micron's joint venture with Intel, will be producing NAND Flash at Micron's Virginia and Boise fabrication facilities, as well as the IMFT facility in Lehi, UT which Micron contributed to the joint venture. Inotera Memories, Micron’s joint venture with Nanya Technology, operates two 300mm DRAM fabs in Taiwan.
Products
Micron markets DRAM, Flash memory, other semiconductor components, and memory modules. Our products are offered in multiple technologies, generations, configurations, and packages to meet the diverse needs of computing, server, automotive, networking, commercial/industrial, consumer electronics, and mobile applications.
Our DRAM offerings include high-volume DDR2 and DDR3 memory for desktop and laptop PCs, but we also design a variety of specialty memory architectures like our Mobile LPDRAM and CellularRAM® devices for mobile products, RLDRAM® for networking applications, a host of module form factors, and legacy and extended temperature DRAM technologies for automotive and industrial markets.
Our NAND Flash memory products target the removable storage, digital music player, and mobile handset products. We incorporate this memory into our high-speed SSD disk drives and work with partners and enablers to embed NAND in multiple applications.
We also manufacture high-quality CMOS image sensors, which bring imaging and video to mobile, automotive, computing, and security applications. CMOS sensors are designed and marketed by Aptina Imaging.
Industry Firsts
Computing Applications
- First to initiate volume production of DDR2 components
- First to gain Intel Platform validation on all three densities (256Mb, 512Mb and 1Gb) of DDR2 components at both 400 MHz and 533 MHz speed grades
- First to sample DDR2 SDRAM SODIMM modules to Intel
- First to offer a family of 256Mb, 512Mb, and 1Gb DDR2-400/533 MHz devices
- First to introduce 256Mb DDR2 SDRAM components
- First to demonstrate a high-density dual channel DDR400 platform using 512Mb DDR400 parts
- First to demonstrate desktop platform with DDR2 memory channel
- First supplier to validate PC2-5300 modules with ATI's Radeon Xpress 200M mobile chipset
- First to introduce Very Low Profile MiniDIMM memory modules
Server Applications
- First to sample 4GB DDR SDRAM registered DIMM modules
- First to sample 1Gb DDR2 SDRAM device
- First to demonstrate and ship 1Gb DDR SDRAM device manufactured on 110nm process technology
- First supplier to provide fully buffered DIMM modules using DDR2-667 components
- First supplier to receive Intel validation of 4GB DDR2 registered DIMM modules
- First supplier to receive Intel validation of a high-density DDR2 module solution employing stacked component technology
- First to sample 2Gb DDR2 components to the server market
- First to demonstrate 4 Gigabyte fully buffered DIMM modules
Mobile/Networking Applications
- First and only supplier to produce RLDRAM II devices for low-latency, high-bandwidth applications
- First to sample CellularRAM devices
- First to sample 1.8V Flash memory devices with random access speeds of 60ns and 81 MHz burst frequency
Semiconductor Markets
Micron began as a DRAM company, and DRAM technology has always been the core of our business. But we're also continually seeking out new avenues where our technology expertise can make a significant difference. In the past decade, that's meant diversifying into new markets including NAND Flash and CMOS image sensors. Because of similar manufacturing processes, both of these products represented excellent opportunities to leverage our resources and technology to reach new markets.
For 2009, market analysts project 10-20% and 35-45% bit growth for DRAM and NAND Flash memory products, respectively. These projections are down significantly from prior years due to substantial cuts in industry capital expenditures in addition to fab shutdowns and slowdowns.
The computing segment (desktop and notebook PCs) is the largest market for DRAM products and despite projected decreases in system demand the DRAM content per system is expected to continue to grow in the range of 30-40% in 2009. Micron's broad product portfolio also includes specialty DRAM products targeted for smaller, more specialized markets like mobile, automotive, and networking. Demand for NAND Flash memory products is expected to continue to increase, driven in part by the high density demands of applications like smart phones and SSDs. The CMOS image sensor business continues to offer long term growth not only in the mobile phone category but also in emerging applications including notebooks, security, and automotive.
Quality
"The foundation of Micron's success is our employees. Their commitment to continuous improvement and meeting the customer's
expectations provides a basis for achieving our quality objectives. "
—Steve Appleton,
(Chairman, CEO,
and President)
Some organizations limit their potential by limiting the quality
improvements they make to the simple or the obvious. If the return
on investment does not appear to warrant improving a process, they
may opt to remain with the status quo, losing out on the hidden
benefits that are realized from improving quality wherever possible. It has been our experience that although these hidden benefits
often cannot be anticipated, they invariably surface and always
prove to be worthwhile. It is on this basis that our organization
is run - Micron's quality plan is paramount.
Micron believes that quality values must be internalized at every
level of the organization. Our approach to communicating and implementing
these values is one of encouragement, education and training rather
than policing. Ongoing education and individual support provide
employees with the tools, confidence, and motivation they need
to implement Micron's quality philosophy. Through Micron's quality
training program, employees learn both the importance of quality
and how to measure it.
Environmental Recognition
An integral part of this mission is a proactive approach to environmental
compliance and protection that serves our team members, our customers,
and the communities in which we operate. Micron strives to reduce
the burden on air, water, and land resources. Continuous improvement
of our environmental performance is a long term commitment of Micron's
business mission and helps protect the future community.
Compliance with applicable environmental regulations is considered
a minimum standard and Micron implements additional programs where
appropriate to provide greater environmental protection. In developing
environmental programs that go beyond legal compliance, Micron
continually demonstrates the responsibility it feels toward its
local and global communities.
An environmental team, which includes executive management and
key operations personnel, is responsible for setting the goals
of Micron's environmental effort and measuring our progress. The
team implements our environmental goals and serves as a catalyst
for all compliance and pollution prevention activities.
Micron has an active program for continuous reduction of chemicals
in the manufacturing process. A chemical approval system is in
place to review chemicals and their effects on associated waste
streams prior to purchase and use. Micron identifies at the earliest
stages those potential waste streams that should be eliminated
or targeted for recycling.
Micron's pollution prevention, reclamation, and recycling efforts
not only benefit the environment but reduce material, energy, and
waste disposal costs. A significant part of Micron's recycling
effort is the early evaluation of chemicals and equipment used
in manufacturing. Micron has implemented aggressive, self-funded
reclamation programs and continues to explore new ideas and technology
as they emerge.
Micron Technology Foundation, Inc.
In October 1999, Micron strengthened its commitment to education by establishing the Micron Technology Foundation, Inc. Endowed with gifts from Micron Technology, Inc. , the foundation's mission is to advance education—primarily in science and technology—and to support charitable organizations in those communities where Micron employees live and work.
At the K-12 level, Micron focuses on innovative ways of teaching science, math and encouraging the integration of technology in the classroom. We support engineering programs and research opportunities at universities around the world by funding laboratories and projects that support a spirit of innovation and leadership in the microelectronics industry.
Awards
September 2006 - Micron's 8-Megapixel Image Sensor Wins Stoel Rives Idaho Innovation Award
During the first annual Stoel Rives Idaho Innovation Awards program, Micron's 8-Megapixel Image Sensor was the overall winner in the Imaging/Optical Technology category. The awards program recognizes top Idaho inventions through eight diverse categories. More >>>
September 2005 - Sun Microsystems, Inc. 's Supplier Meritorious Award for outstanding performance in FY05
The Supplier Awards honor those companies who make outstanding contributions to Sun Microsystems' ability to deliver superior quality and value to its end customers.
June 2005 – Micron Paper Garners Prestigious IEEE Award for Innovation
The IEEE awarded Micron the prestigious Walter Kosonocky Award for the Micron white paper entitled "A 2e Noise 1.3 Megapixel CMOS Sensor. " The award, given every two years for the best paper representing significant advancements in solid-state image sensors, commemorates the contributions made to the field by the late Dr. Walter Kosonocky.
March 2005 - Semiconductor Insights INSIGHT Awards 2005 – Micron 2-Megapixel Low Power CMOS Image Sensor (MT9D011)
The MT9D011 was awarded the 2005 INSIGHT Award as it provides design simplicity, reduced chip count, low integration costs and fast time to market.
November 2004 – Cisco Systems, Inc. "Excellence in Value for Technology and Services" Award.
Cisco Systems, Inc. awarded Micron the "Excellence in Value for Technology and Services" Award for 2004 based on the overall value Micron provides to Cisco. This award was based on several measures, including meeting their technology needs, on-time-delivery, ease of doing business, and customer support.
August 2004 – The Hyogo Federation of Labor Standards recognizes Micron Japan as a Workplace with Excellent Safety Performance.
To qualify for this award, companies must establish a safety management organization, familiarize all employees with health and safety activities, and show strong performance in occupational health and safety for the past three years.
May 2004 – Semiconductor Insights honors Micron with the 2004 INSIGHT Award for Most Innovative DRAM.
Semiconductor Insights, the leader in technical and patent analysis of integrated circuits, awarded Micron the 2004 INSIGHT Award for Most Innovative DRAM for Micron's 6F2 array architecture. According to Semiconductor Insights, "Micron's 6F2 achieved the most innovation in DRAM technology - not just this year, but over the past several years. "
March 2004 – Fortune Magazine ranks Micron 4th in America's "Most Admired" semiconductor companies list.
The Fortune "Most Admired Companies" list (March 8, 2004 issue) is an important benchmark because of the comprehensiveness of the eight reputation categories: innovation, employee talent, use of corporate assets, social responsibility, quality of management, financial soundness, long-term investment, and quality of products/services.
February 2004 – Wireless Systems Design "Best Wireless Technology" Award.
Wireless Systems Design 2004 Industry Award Winners: Micron Technology, Infineon, and Cypress Semiconductor for CellularRAM. These awards are given out annually as a means of honoring those wireless products/technology developments that stand apart from the competitive field and serve as beacons to which the entire wireless community can aspire.
October 2003 – NEC Personal Products "Supplier Excellence Award. "
Micron was one of eleven suppliers selected to receive this award out of approximately 100 suppliers overall. The Supplier Excellence Award honors those companies for supplier support, quality analysis, pricing, and overall relationship.
May 2003 – Ranked #1 In Semiconductor Industry on Patent Score Card.
Technology Review, published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), ranked Micron Technology, Inc. , number one in the semiconductor industry for the third consecutive year. Companies in key industries are ranked based on technological strength including quality and quantity of patents, scientific papers cited, and the ability to convert leading-edge technology into intellectual property (IP).
April 2003 – BizRate.com "Circle of Excellence Gold Honoree Award. "
Crucial Technology, a division of Micron and one of the world's largest direct memory upgrade providers, received the "Circle of Excellence" award - for the second consecutive year - for outstanding customer service. Crucial's Web site was among the top ten percent of Web sites that excelled in providing customer satisfaction during the 2002 holiday season.