Luke Perkins : Micron Research

INTRODUCTION

Micron, meaning one millionth of a meter, is an appropriate name for this developer and manufacturer of miniscule technological components. Founded in Boise, Idaho in 1978, today Micron has locations worldwide and employs nearly 30,000 people. Micron specializes in making all sorts of memory chips that are implemented in anything electronic from cars to phones to thumb drives --You probably own something with Micron technology in it.

Micron has had three CEO’s since it’s beginning in 1978. Joe Parkinson, an original founder of the company, served as CEO until 1994, and then Steve Appleton took the reins. In February 2012 Steve was killed in a single passenger airplane accident. His successor and the current CEO is Marc Durcan. He had been planning on retirement when he was appointed to his current position. He made the following statements after his appointment:

"I can't do anything half-assed," he said at the time. "I'm not as good as Steve at some sports, but I'm a hard-nosed competitor. There is nothing interim about my role as CEO of Micron."

And about the future of the company, in reference to the rise of smart phone and tablet usage he said:

"More and more people need that data quickly, so more and more of that data in solid state memory as opposed to spinning media, and that creates a great opportunity for a company like Micron.”

He has also said that Micron will be focusing on adding value to their current range of products, in the form of software, firmware, etc. to be able to deliver more complete competitive solutions to Micron’s clients.

MISSION

Micron mission statements and slogans that are currently circulating include:

· Be the most efficient and innovative global provider of semiconductor solutions

· Performance. Power. Reliability.

· Transforming what’s possible

· Continuously improving our processes, products, and services to deliver best-in-class solutions to our customers.

INDUSTRY INFORMATION

In the 90’s, Japanese memory manufacturers began selling their chips below cost in the United States and forced many companies out of that particular sector of the market or into bankruptcy. Micron survived this period, and eventually sued the Japanese companies for their misdeeds, and consequently it became one of the largest companies of its kind in the United States and in the world.

Micron is constantly acquiring other small companies in related fields, and it also occasionally pairs up with other companies in joint ventures. IM Flash Technologies for example, is a joint venture of Micron and Intel. Micron also markets its own products under a few other names including “Lexar” and “Crucial.”

Micron’s primary competitors are Samsung, Hynix, Toshiba, and SanDisk.

AUDIT

Micron Logo usage: