FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
For the month of January 2007
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD.
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
RAMAT GAVRIEL INDUSTRIAL PARK
P.O. BOX 619, MIGDAL HAEMEK, ISRAEL 23105
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F [X] Form 40-F [_]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes [_] No [X]
On January 09, 2007, the registrant announces that More Than 10 Million ULC
Mobile Devices are Ringing Using Modiotek Sound Generators Manufactured at Tower
Semiconductor, attached hereto is a copy of the press release.
This Form 6-K is being incorporated by reference into all effective
registration statements filed by us under the Securities Act of 1933.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD.
Date: January 09, 2007 By: /s/ Nati Somekh Gilboa
--------------------------
Nati Somekh Gilboa
Corporate Secretary
MORE THAN 10 MILLION ULC MOBILE DEVICES ARE RINGING USING MODIOTEK
SOUND GENERATORS MANUFACTURED AT TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR
MIGDAL HAEMEK, ISRAEL - January 9, 2007 - Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (NASDAQ:
TSEM; TASE: TSEM), a pure-play independent specialty foundry, today announced
that it has collaborated with Modiotek Co., Ltd., the new spin-off company from
Macronix International Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ: MXIC; TSE: 2337.TT), to successfully
introduce 32-polyphony sound generator into ULC (Ultra Low Cost) handset models,
following manufacturing 10 millions of MAP S32i series products for the past two
years.
The MAP S32i is built for ULC phones with FM tuner and hands-free features. It
is equipped with 32-polyphony MIDI engine based on wave-table synthesis
technology, providing best performance-cost ratio handset ring-tone solution.
Moreover, it has integrated 16/32ohm stereo headphone amplifier, 8ohm
loud-speaker amplifier, two stereo auxiliary analog input ports for FM audio
sound input and speech signal from analog base-band chip residing in the cell
phone system implementation; its unique function integration provides total
system cost improvement for ULC handset application.
The MAP (Mobile Audio Platform) family consists of half a dozen different
products, customized for the specific cellular phone models and applications
which were built, using Tower's FAB2 0.18-micron mixed signal process technology
and shipped during 2006. The MAP (Mobile Audio Platform) products represent a
business of thousands of wafers each quarter for Tower.
Among the handsets using these products are leading models by two of Top-5
handset brands and a dozen well-known handset makers. The market for ULC
handsets is estimated at 48 million sets in 2007 and expected to grow to 150
million sets by 2010, according to market research company Strategy Analytics.
The derived demand of sound generators is going to ramp up gradually.
"In our drive to optimize our manufacturing capabilities, we selected Tower
Semiconductor to manufacture our highest volume products," said J T Chung the
newly appointed president and CEO of the Modiotek that develops the audio
products. "Tower's excellent engineering and manufacturing capabilities resulted
in fast products ramp and smooth volume delivery, which is a must in the
competitive consumer business."
"We are happy that Modiotek chose Tower for manufacturing the Sound Generators
products family", said Yossi Netzer, general manager of the RF and Mixed Signal
product line at Tower Semiconductor. "The sound generators cooperation is a good
example for a close partnership that drives products success through matching
technology and competitive time to market. Tower's customer support and
manufacturing teams worked closely with Modiotek, to ensure smooth delivery and
quality execution. We look forward to a continued working relationship with them
for the coming generations of this family of products."
ABOUT TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD.
Tower Semiconductor Ltd. is a pure-play independent specialty foundry
established in 1993. The company manufactures integrated circuits with
geometries ranging from 1.0 to 0.13-micron; it also provides complementary
technical services and design support. In addition to digital CMOS process
technology, Tower offers advanced non-volatile memory solutions, mixed-signal &
RF-CMOS, and CMOS image-sensor technologies. To provide world-class customer
service, the company maintains two manufacturing facilities: Fab 1 has process
standard and specialized technologies from 1.0 to 0.35 micron and Fab 2 features
standard and specialized technologies of 0.18, 0.16 and 0.13-micron. Tower's Web
site is located at http://www.towersemi.com/.
ABOUT MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD
Macronix International Co., Ltd. is a leading provider of innovative
Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) solutions. Utilizing state of the art technology in
the cutting edge fabrication facilities, the company offers a wide range of NOR
Flash and Mask ROM products across various densities. Through strong
relationships with its customers, Macronix continues to develop pioneering
products for consumer and enterprise applications. The company is poised to
increase market share and continues to expand its presence as the #1 Mask ROM
supplier in the world. Macronix web site is located at http://www.mxic.com.tw.
ABOUT MODIOTEK CO., LTD
Modiotek Co., Ltd., a new IC design house spun off from Macronix Audio Product
Line, is a leading DAM (digital answering machine) solution provider and
concentrate on developing key integrated circuit and system solutions for mobile
phone manufacturers. Modiotek's mobile audio products enable the delivery of
multi-functions with high quality, low power consumption, and high integration
to the music phone environment. Modiotek's web site is located at
http://www.modiotek.com.tw.
SAFE HARBOR
THIS PRESS RELEASE INCLUDES FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO
RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES. ACTUAL RESULTS MAY VARY FROM THOSE PROJECTED OR IMPLIED
BY SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. A COMPLETE DISCUSSION OF RISKS AND
UNCERTAINTIES THAT MAY AFFECT THE ACCURACY OF FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
INCLUDED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE OR WHICH MAY OTHERWISE AFFECT OUR BUSINESS IS
INCLUDED UNDER THE HEADING "RISK FACTORS" IN OUR MOST RECENT FILINGS ON FORMS
20-F, F-1, F-3 AND 6-K, AS WERE FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION AND THE ISRAEL SECURITIES AUTHORITY.
CONTACTS:
Tower Semiconductor USA:
Michael Axelrod, +1 408 330 6871
pr@towersemi.com
or
Shelton Group
Melissa Conger, 972-239-5119 ext. 137
mconger@sheltongroup.com