Maxim: A technology powerhouse

As we approach Maxim's 25th anniversary, it is timely to review our achievements and the advantages that they have provided to the electronics industry.

In the 80s, Maxim was known mostly for single-chip RS-232 solutions and microprocessor supervisors. In the 90s, we became a major force in power management, introducing a myriad of switching and linear supplies, and becoming the dominant supplier of the highest efficiency switchers to the notebook computer industry. Nearly everyone who reads this will have used a notebook with at least one of Maxim's power-management chips inside.

Over the years, we have developed into a large, very diverse operation with 26 major product lines, including: wireless RF, optical communications, audio, video, data conversion, and thermal management. You can see our entire list of product lines at www.maxim-ic.com. We also supply custom, large-scale integration devices to major players in very high-volume applications, such as cell phones, digital cameras, flat-panel television and PC monitors, notebook computers, and personal media players.

We began the company buying wafer production from foundries. We bought our first fab in 1989, enabling us to reduce costs, improve quality, and, most importantly, to develop exclusive processes to give our products unique performance capabilities. Now we have five fabs that provide 97% of our wafer production: San Antonio, TX; Dallas, TX; San Jose, CA; Beaverton, OR; and most recently, Irving, TX. We run over 160 proprietary wafer process technology variations in our four original fabs. This gives us tremendous potential for growth, and the confidence that we will be able to support your product delivery needs as your demands increase.

But manufacturing is not just about wafer fabrication. We have always had our own test operations, and now we have three large test facilities: one in Thailand and two in the Philippines. Test facilities in California, Oregon, and Texas are also operational, though over 98% of the job is done in our factories outside the USA.

Design, too, is spread around the world, with over 30 design centers in the USA, China, India, Japan, Korea, France, Italy, Turkey, the UK, and several other European countries. We also have sales offices in most of the industrialized world, with a total of 22 offices in 14 countries. So with all of our design, manufacturing, and sales facilities, our global operations have expanded to 18 countries.

We have distributors in 55 countries, plus we cover 15 of those countries with 6 branches of our own distribution company, Maxim Direct. Also, we supply to many other countries through our on-line sales service. Our customers include the most significant brands in consumer, computing, communications, and industrial markets. With over 35,000 customers in 55 countries, our reach is global.

Keeping the engineer in mind, we define, make, and test our own products in large quantities to very high standards. Having such a broad range of products and a global presence, Maxim is able to fulfill requirements for diverse geographical markets and numerous technical markets. We can be a partner with companies of any size, with any needs, in any location.

We are always at your service,