EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE
Mr. Michael Song
Vice President of Sales and President of TowerJazz Korea
In this issue, we feature a message from Mr. Michael Song, Vice President of Sales and President of TowerJazz Korea. He has served in this position since February, 2013 and prior to this, he served as Korea Sales Director for TowerJazz since 2008.
In 2009, with an aim to engage business with fast developing Korean fabless companies, TowerJazz initiated sales activities in Korea where it was basically a “barren land’ for foreign foundries at the time. To enhance local customer support, TowerJazz established a sales office in the same year and eventually became the only foreign analog and specialty foundry to succeed in the Korean market. Korea has been presenting steady growth at a CAGR of 34% during the period 2009-2015. As the revenue leader of the APAC region, we are forecasting over $100M through years 2017 and 2018.
So far, our BCD product line has been the major revenue booster in Korea showing strong market share with component products such as class D audio amplifiers, LED drivers and PMICs. We have also been gradually building up a presence in the domestic market with CMOS image sensor (CIS) technology for X-ray applications, a MS/CMOS platform for mobile sensors and 700V technology for the LED lighting market.
As far as future growth, we will look to TowerJazz Panasonic Semiconductor Company TPSCo as the main source. TPSCo’s offerings such as 65nm RFCMOS, 45nm CMOS, 110nm CIS, HVCMOS and BCD are very appealing to the Korean market. In fact, we have already started detailed discussions on CMOS image sensor (CIS) opportunities with several worldwide well-known surveillance and mobile companies who are interested in 65nm CIS technology on 300mm wafers. The state of the art pixel which is known as the best in the world is especially drawing customers’ attention.
The Korea Sales team expects these opportunities will contribute to the increased revenue growth in the next two years. We will be highlighting the offerings of TPSCo in our 3rd annual Technical Global Symposium in Korea that will be held on the 10th of September, along with presentations highlighting our specialty technologies.
To support the growing demands of Korean customers and meet their needs, we have a strong work force in the Korea office specializing in quality, technical support, sales, and logistics aspects, respectively.
Strong team work has been easing the challenges for a foreign foundry and has led us to stand where we are now. I believe that the upcoming future of Korea business is very bright with strong sales, technical support and innovative technologies.
