STMicroelectronics is one of the worlds largest semiconductor companies with net revenues of US$10.0 billion in 2007. The Companys 2007 sales were well balanced among the semiconductor industrys five major high-growth sec......STMicroelectronics is one of the worlds largest semiconductor companies with net revenues of US$10.0 billion in 2007. The Companys 2007 sales were well balanced among the semiconductor industrys five major high-growth sectors (percentage of STs sales in 2007): Communications (37%), Consumer (17%), Computer (16%), Automotive (15%) and Industrial (15%). According to the latest industry data from iSuppli, ST is the worlds fifth largest semiconductor company with market leadership in many fields. For example, ST is the leading producer of application-specific analog chips and power conversion devices. It is also the #1 supplier of semiconductors for the Industrial market and for set-top box applications, and occupies leading positions in fields as varied as discrete devices, automotive integrated circuits and the rapidly expanding market for micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) . Product Portfolio ST aims to be the leader in multimedia convergence applications and power solutions, offering one of the worlds broadest product portfolios, including application-specific products containing a large proprietary IP content and multi-segment products that range from discrete devices to high-performance microcontrollers, secure smart card chips and MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) devices. The Company provides solutions for a wide array of Digital Consumer applications, with a particular focus on set-top boxes, digital TVs and digital audio, including radio. In the Computer Peripherals arena, ST provides leading solutions in data storage, printing, visual display units, power management for PC motherboards, and power supplies. A wide range of STs ASSPs power sophisticated Automotive systems such as engine control, vehicle safety equipment, door modules, and in-car infotainment The Company also supplies industrial ICs for factory automation systems, chips for lighting, battery chargers and power supplies, as well as chips for advanced Secure Access applications. ST pioneered and continues to refine the use of platform-based design methodologies for complex ICs in demanding applications such as mobile multimedia, set-top boxes and computer peripherals. The balanced portfolio approach allows ST to address the needs of all microelectronics users, from global strategic customers for whom ST is the partner of choice, for major System-on-Chip (SoC) projects to local enterprises that need fully-supported general-purpose devices and solutions. To maximize the benefit of scale that is becoming increasingly important in some semiconductor markets, ST announced the creation of two joint ventures in 2008. In the memory field, ST, Intel and Francisco Partners formed a new company, Numonyx, dedicated to providing non-volatile memory solutions, including NAND and NOR Flash memories as well as MCP (multi-chip package) memory solutions, for a wide variety of consumer and industrial applications. ST holds a 48% share in Numonyx. In the wireless arena, ST and NXP merged their key wireless semiconductor operations into a joint venture, ST-NXP Wireless, in which ST owns an 80% share, which is a top three supplier to the mobile handset industry. To further increase scale and STs competitive position, ST and Ericsson in August 2008 announced their intention, subject to regulatory approvals, to merge Ericsson Mobile Platforms and ST-NXP Wireless to form a new company that will be jointly owned by ST and Ericsson. Research & Development and Manufacturing Since its creation, ST has maintained an unwavering commitment to R&D and is one of the industrys most innovative companies. STs process technology portfolio includes advanced CMOS logic (including embedded memory variants), mixed-signal, analog and power processes. In advanced CMOS, ST is a partner in the IBM consortium for the development of next-generation process technologies, including 32nm and 22nm CMOS process development, design enablement and advanced research adapted to the manufacturing of 300mm silicon wafers. ST and IBM also cooperate at STs Crolles 300mm facility in the development of value-added CMOS derivative SoC technologies. ST has a worldwide network of front-end (wafer fabrication) and back-end (assembly, packaging and test) plants. STs principal wafer fabs are presently located in Agrate Brianza and Catania (Italy), Crolles, Rousset and Tours (France), and Singapore. The wafer fabs are complemented by highly efficient assembly and test facilities located in China, Malaysia, Malta, Morocco and Singapore. Alliances ST has developed a worldwide network of strategic alliances, including product development with key customers, technology development with customers and other semiconductor manufacturers, and equipment- and CAD-development alliances with major suppliers. These industrial partnerships are complemented by a wide range of research programs conducted with leading universities and research institutes around the world, in addition to playing a key role in Europes advanced technology research programs such as MEDEA+ and i