AUSTIN, TEXAS On May 23, Texas Instruments presented a 2004 Supplier Excellence Award to Tokyo Electron's (TEL) Clean Track Business Unit at the Tokyo Electron Limited business unit headquarters facility in Kumamoto, Japan. The award, given annually since 1983, is presented to less than one-quarter of one percent of TI's supplier base. This is the fifth time TEL has received a Supplier Excellence Award from Texas Instruments.



The award honors an elite group of firms whose products and services meet TI's high standards for excellence. TEL received the award for achieving excellence in customer satisfaction, cost-of-ownership, and factory, service and sales support.



"TEL's Clean Track organization has proven their dedication and commitment to TI through their continuous drive to improve customer satisfaction and technology engagements in TI fabs. This year, TEL responded to critical issues for TI and delivered outstanding results. TI values TEL as a strategic global supplier and we are pleased to recognize their significant contributions in the track division, " said Rob Simpson, Vice President of Worldwide Procurement & Logistics.



Ken Sato, TEL President and COO, said, "We are delighted to have been chosen as a Texas Instruments Supplier Excellence Award recipient again in 2004. As a supplier to TI, we appreciate the goals set forth in their continuous improvement program and we are proud that TEL has been able to meet those challenges. We take pride in providing world-class technology and customer service in order to help our customers become world leaders in their businesses. To be recognized for our efforts with such a prestigious award inspires us to strive to meet additional challenges in the future."