TI CEO appeals to customers over Nat Semi deal

Commits to no requalification of parts or changes of part numbers
By Nick Flaherty www.flaherty.co.uk

Rich Templeton, CEO of Texas Instruments, has written to customers about the impending takeover of National Semiconductor in a move that looks like an attempt to reassure some nervous embedded designers.

"This acquisition will allow us to address your analog needs with a product portfolio of unmatched breadth and depth," he said. "National's 12,000 products plus TI's 30,000 means more performance, power and packaging options when selecting the right ICs for your application. And we'll provide a common set of best-in-class online tools to make the selection and design process easier."

"Our combined sales and applications team of 2,500 will be larger than any in the industry so we can provide more customers with greater face-to-face support than ever before. Our manufacturing operations will offer more capacity to support your growth. TI's fabs and National's available capacity can enable higher production levels."

In a strong commitment that is important for the embedded market, he says that TI will continue to use the Nat Semi fabs and part numbers. "While both companies will operate independently pending the close, our goal thereafter is to make the integration process as seamless as possible. No requalification of products will be necessary since National's manufacturing sites will continue to be utilized. Part numbers from both companies will remain the same," he said. "There will be no obsolescence of products."

More on the acquisition is at www.ti.com/acquire, including answers to frequently asked questions and video messages from TI leaders regarding the acquisition.