AUSTIN, TEXAS - Tokyo Electron's (TEL) Customer Support and Service organization was today presented a 2001 Supplier Excellence Award from Texas Instruments (TI) at Tokyo Electron America's headquarters office in Austin, Texas. On June 4th, TI will also present an award at TEL 's headquarters facility in Tokyo. The award, given annually since 1983, is presented to less than one-quarter of one percent of TI's supplier base. This is the fourth time TEL has received a Supplier Excellence Award from Texas Instruments.

The award honors an elite group of firms whose products and services meet TI's high standards for excellence. TEL received the award for providing excellent customer support and spares across all TEL supplied products in the US and Japan, including etch systems, coaters/developers and thermal processing systems. Specifically, TEL improved cost-of-ownership, provided excellent support during 300mm start-up, and provided overall customer satisfaction through local sales and service support.

"TEL's Customer Support and Service organization has proven their dedication and commitment to TI through their continuous drive to improve overall service levels and customer satisfaction in TI fabs. This year, they successfully implemented a supplier managed inventory program that produced outstanding results. TI values TEL as a strategic global supplier and we are pleased to recognize their significant contributions in spares and service support, " said Jeff McLaughlin, director of capital procurement at TI's worldwide procurement and logistics organization.

Terry Higashi, TEL group president, said, "We are delighted to have been chosen as a Texas Instruments Supplier Excellence Award recipient again in 2001. As a supplier to TI, we appreciate the goals set forth in their continuous improvement program and we are proud that TEL has been able to meet those challenges. We take pride in providing world-class customer service in order to help our customers become world leaders in their businesses. To be recognized for our efforts with such a prestigious award inspires us to strive to meet additional challenges in the future."