AUSTIN, Texas- The leader of one of the world's most prominent semiconductor equipment firms will describe his company's path to utilizing customer driven innovation during his speech on an executive panel at the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT 2006). Tetsuro "Terry" Higashi, Chairman and CEO of Tokyo Electron Ltd. (TEL), will address the changes customer collaboration has brought to TEL before an international audience of CEOs and government leaders attending WCIT 2006 in Austin, May 1 -5, 2006.



"I am very pleased for this opportunity to participate in The World Congress of Information Technology," said Terry Higashi. "As global leaders in the semiconductor production equipment industry, we are constantly striving to find new and innovative ways to advance the science of semiconductor fabrication and examine how our role in the information technology industry can bring positive change worldwide. I look forward to stepping beyond my own sector and examining what we can do from a global perspective to shape the future."



Tokyo Electron America was founded in 1994 in Austin, Texas, as the US headquarters for TEL. Focused on providing chip-making equipment to global customers, TEL grew as a company by entering into technology collaborations with its internationally prominent customers.



"Since the early days of the company, TEL has served as a global semiconductor equipment producer, supporting the needs of chip-making companies. TEL's technology supports the precise manufacturing of the chips that serve as the "brain," fueling the operation of video games, computers, cell phones and numerous other products that improve our world, from high-tech medical devices to modern automobiles," said Lou Steen, vice president of marketing for TEL US Holdings, Inc.



As a result, TEL grew from a few founding employees in 1964 to more than 8,000 employees worldwide and over $5 billion in annual sales today.



This growth would not have been possible without the insight of leaders such as Terry Higashi, who in 1977 joined the company and went up through the ranks from vice president of thermal processing systems to managing director, until finally becoming Chairman and CEO of the TEL Board.



In his executive panel discussion entitled, "Customer-Driven Innovation Your Customer Has Changed, So What Are You Doing to Adapt?" Terry Higashi will talk about TEL's long history of collaborating with customers in order to achieve innovative products. With Higashi's input, TEL will be able to contribute to the World Congress' examination of the myriad challenges facing the IT industry.



About WCIT 2006

The mission of WCIT 2006 is to be a catalyst for social and economic development through the exchange of policies, ideas and technology. The conference is expected to draw 2,000 business, government and academic leaders from 80 countries, bridging borders and cultures. The World Congress seeks to explore and create policy recommendations focused on three key issues: global digital access, healthcare and privacy and security.

Terry Higashi joins an already impressive roster of confirmed WCIT 2006 speakers and panel participants, including General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), former United States Secretary of State (2001-2005); Daniel Scioli, vice president of Argentina; Michael Dell, chairman of the Board of Directors of Dell; John S. Chen, chairman, CEO and president of Sybase Inc.; Anne M. Mulcahy, chairman and CEO, Xerox Corporation; Paul Otellini, CEO of Intel; Hector Ruiz, chairman of the board, president and CEO of AMD; David Kirkpatrick, senior editor of Fortune Magazine; John W. Thompson, chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer of Symantec Corporation and Dr. Rudasingwa, former Ambassador to the U.S., Republic of Rwanda. Other business, academic and government leaders will be added to the roster, with announcements forthcoming.

WCIT 2006 takes place in Austin, Texas, from May 1-5, 2006. Additional information can be found at www.wcit2006.org