OEM semiconductor manufacturer, virtually unknown as a brand name, competes with Intel, Texas Instruments, Advanced Micro Devices and other big chipmakers. It ranks as the eighth largest in the world, up from ninth place a year ago. There are about 50 of them worldwide and they include companies such as Seagate Technology, Nokia, Compaq Computer Corp. and Northern Telecom. STM's integrated circuits are found in hundreds of products. Design teams work closely with STM's field quality offices that provide customer support on the spot anywhere in the world.
Offices are in Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom.
When there is a production problem, Banks says he has a direct line to Laurent Bosson, worldwide vice president of manufacturing based in Milan, Italy. Glitches are identified as either being in the front end, such as wafer fabrication, assembly and manufacturing, or in the back end, which includes testing, packaging and distribution. STM takes customer service very seriously, says Banks. We're accessible 'round the clock and each time zone is covered. The main mission is to keep the assembly line moving.