As we evaluate the current economic environment, the [factory] over-capacity situation, the growth of the consumer and electronics markets, and our best prospects for profitable growth, we believe it is in the best interest of all our shareholders to move toward the higher growth and higher margin entertainment electronics business. |
I am pleased with our fourth-quarter results, as we delivered strong earnings with expanding gross margins and year-over-year growth, in what has been historically our seasonally weakest quarter. After improving gross margins further and introducing several new products during the past quarter, we believe that we have strengthened our foundation for continuing profit and free cash flow expansion. |
The company has begun to deliver profitable year-over-year growth in our analog, mixed-signal and embedded products. We achieved 18 percent year-over-year growth in these product categories, we have a strong cash position, and the underlying fundamentals of the business are strong. |
These layoffs are difficult but appropriate to enable progress toward our improved business model and to enhance shareholder value. |
This transition away from magnetic storage will allow us to work toward a new business model, which includes improving our profitability rates over the next two years. Assuming a recovery in the semiconductor industry by early next year, we believe we can achieve our new business model targets by the end of next fiscal year. |