Chip giant Intel has reported an 8pc increase in its third quarter revenues of US$10.2bn – which Intel president and CEO Paul Otellini has described as the company’s best quarter ever.
“Intel delivered the best third-quarter revenue in its history,” said Otellini.
“We were solidly profitable, with operating income of over US$3bn, reflecting strong across-the-board execution and best-of-class products.”
The company posted a profit of US$2bn for the third quarter as it achieved unparalleled industry margins, such as a gross margin of 59pc and an operating margin of 30pc.
The operating income of US$3bn was up 37pc.
Intel stands at a curious crossroads in its history. Moore’s Law has driven the number of transistors on its microprocessors to sub-atomic levels, while the company straddles a variety of markets from PCs and servers to mobile devices such as phones, and the new netbook form factor that is currently taking the computer world by storm.
In the years ahead, Intel aims to establish an enviable position as the driving force of the next consumer electronics revolution, which will encompass ubiquitous internet experiences and devices such as two-way televisions.
Ireland is Intel’s manufacturing and technology centre for Europe. Approximately 5,000 people work at Intel’s campus in Leixlip, Co Kildare.
There are currently two semiconductor factories on site; Ireland Fab Operations (IFO) and Fab 24. The campus is also home to other Intel businesses including the Information Technology Innovation Centre (ITIC) and the Technology Research for Independent Living Centre (TRIL).
There are a further 150 people employed at the Embedded and Communications Processor Division in Shannon, Co Clare, which is the R&D centre for Intel’s Infrastructure Processor Division.
By John Kennedy
