Where's the Growth in MEMS? Analog Devices, Kionix, Maxim, Microvision and VTI Debate at Globalpress Electronics Summit 2009

PITTSBURGH, PA--(Marketwire - March 23, 2009) - Industry execs from leading MEMS manufacturers will discuss and debate new growth areas for MEMS, the tiny microelectromechanical systems that lend intelligent sensing to a whole host of applications, at the Globalpress Electronics Summit to be held March 30-April 2 in San Francisco. Analog Devices, Kionix, Maxim, Microvision and VTI Technologies will sit side-by-side during the panel discussion to explore the topic, "Where is the Growth in MEMS?"

The panel moderator, industry luminary Patrick Mannion, framed his expectations for the panel:

"Is there a next killer app for MEMS? Or are we looking at a number of different very successful applications in a range of vertical markets -- consumer, medical, industrial and energy? How are individual companies addressing design, integration and development, and what are the hurdles associated with their integration and getting to higher volume? I'm looking forward to an open and frank discussion with these outstanding representatives of the MEMS community on the true state of this much-hyped yet very promising technology. Both panelists and audience will be fully engaged."

MEMS Industry Group, the trade association representing the MEMS and microstructures industries, collaborated with Globalpress on a panel created to answer the most pressing questions of electronics industry-watchers:

"During the past few years, MEMS has moved from traditionally stronghold application areas such as air bags, inkjet printers and displays to mobile handsets, digital cameras, console video games, medical devices and an increasing number of industrial applications," said Karen Lightman, managing director of MEMS Industry Group. "What breed of new applications will drive MEMS in 2009 and beyond? We are delighted to co-sponsor a panel that brings together such influential leaders as they pursue the answers to this multi-faceted question."

"Where would we be without MEMS? The motion sensitivity that makes the Nintendo Wii so much fun to play, the ability to use hand motion to navigate the Apple iPhone's user interface -- that is all because of MEMS," said Irmgard Lafrentz, president and founder of Globalpress. "Based on the increasing importance of MEMS in a range of global markets, the international electronics media has been requesting this topic for several years. Thus we are especially delighted that our relationship with MEMS Industry Group has produced such an engaging panel for our conference."

Where is the Growth in MEMS?

The panel, "Where is the Growth in MEMS," will be held Monday, March 30, 2009 from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Hotel Kabuki in San Francisco. Patrick Mannion, editorial director of TechOnline and former editor of EE Times, will moderate the panel. The panelists include:

--  Mark Martin, Vice President and General Manager, Analog Devices
--  Eric Eisenhut, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Kionix
--  Vijay Ullal, Group President, Maxim Integrated Products
--  Ian Brown, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Microvision
--  Scott Smyser, Vice President and General Manager, VTI Technologies
    

For more information, please visit: http://esummit09.globalpresspr.com/

iSuppli Sees Growth

Providing some guidance on the subject, MEMS market analyst Jérémie Bouchaud of iSuppli shared his opinion:

"MEMS growth has been outpacing the larger semiconductor industry during the past five years, and it's still considered a bright spot in the global electronics business," said Jérémie Bouchaud, director and principal analyst at the market research firm iSuppli Corp., El Segundo, Calif. "MEMS accelerometers, gyroscopes, pressure sensors, RF MEMS and silicon microphones are still experiencing growth, particularly in consumer electronics with a 19 percent Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) expected for 2007 to 2012, despite a slowdown in consumer spending in 2008 and 2009. MEMS technology is being used in a variety of sensing applications in the medical space, and steady demand from industrial markets will push MEMS revenue into the growth column, even in 2009. iSuppli's latest 'Automotive MEMS Tracker' report shows that after a contraction in 2008 and a 15 percent decline in 2009, even the market for automotive MEMS will resume healthy growth in 2010, with double-digit growth expected in 2011. By 2012, iSuppli expects the total market for MEMS devices to exceed US $8 billion."

About Globalpress Electronics Summit

The annual Globalpress Electronics Summit allows C-level electronics executives -- without having to travel abroad -- to communicate with millions of design engineers and managers who read European and Asian trade and business publications. Every year, outlets such as Electronic Engineering & Product World, EDN China, EE Times Europe, Electronics Weekly, and Markt & Technik generate hundreds of articles as a result of the summit's presentations, panel discussions and networking events. About a dozen members of the U.S. media also attend the summit.

More information is available by calling 408.246.6840 ext. 101, or visiting www.globalpresspr.com.

About MEMS Industry Group

MEMS Industry Group is the trade association representing the MEMS and microstructures industries. The Association enables the exchange of non-proprietary information among members; provides reliable industry data that furthers the development of technology; and works toward the greater commercial development and use of MEMS and MEMS-enabled devices. More than 80 companies comprise MIG, including Alberta Centre for Advanced MNT Products (ACAMP), AEPI Grenoble-Isere France Economic Development Agency, Analog Devices, Applied Materials, Automation & Robotics Research Institute (ARRI), Bosch, Boschman Technologies B.V., Freescale, GE Global Research and GE Sensing, Honeywell, IMEC, Intel, Kionix, OMRON, STMicroelectronics, Texas Instruments and VTI Technologies. For more information, please contact MIG via phone: 412.390.1644, email: info@memsindustrygroup.org or Web: www.memsindustrygroup.org.

All product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Contact Information: PRESS CONTACTS (For Editors Only): MEMS Industry Group Karen Lightman Phone: 412.390.1644 Email:klightman@memsindustrygroup.org Vetrano Communications Maria Vetrano Phone: 617.876.2770 Email: Globalpress Irmgard Lafrentz Phone: 408.246.6840 Ext. 101 Email: Cecily Russell Phone: 408.246.6840 Ext. 100 Email: