Zetex gains automotive quality standard

OLDHAM, England — Zetex Semiconductors has gained corporate registration as an ISO/TS16949:2002 certified company, following audits conducted by Underwriters Laboratories.

Jointly developed by International Automotive Task Force (IATF) members and the International Standards Organisation (ISO), ISO/TS16949:2002 is recognised as a comprehensive quality management standard for companies operating in the automotive industry supply chain.

The quality registration is seen as strengthening Zetex' position as a supplier of discrete and integrated analog semiconductor devices to automotive system integrators and vehicle manufacturers. A range of the company’s power management products including IntelliFET smart MOSFETs, current monitors and fan controller ICs are used in a range of automotive applications.

According to WSTS/Bosch, the global semiconductor demand in the automotive manufacturing sector is expected to rise from $13.7B in 2003 to $23.2B in 2008, representing a compound annual growth rate of 11.1%. The research also indicates the growing importance of semiconductors to the sector. As a percentage of the production cost of an average light vehicle, the semiconductor content is forecast to grow from 9.5% in 2004 to over 15% in 2010.