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MUNICH, Germany, Nov. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Flextronics Semiconductor Inc., a subsidiary of Flextronics International Ltd. (Nasdaq: FLEX), today announced at Electronica that it has licensed ARC Cores' (London: ARK) Tangent processor platform to further its system-on-a-chip (SoC) strategy. The two companies also expect to develop a strategic relationship that will allow ARC's customers access to Flextronics design and global manufacturing capabilities while allowing Flextronics' customers unique and competitive solutions utilizing the design flexibility offered by ARC's configurable processor platform.

Ron Snyder, President of Flextronics Semiconductor Inc., stated: ``Our licensing of ARC's technology is an important strategic step for both companies. More and more of Flextronics' customers are demanding a streamlined design approach from SoC to volume production. Adding ARC's configurable processor technology and tools to our offerings enhances our ability to provide cost effective solutions to our customers, especially when time is of the essence,'' continued Snyder. ``Our strategic relationships with silicon foundries, our global systems design and world-class manufacturing capabilities in addition to access to ARC's microprocessor technology means that our time-to-market value proposition for a complete product becomes even stronger.''

Bob Terwilliger, CEO of ARC International, added: ``We are pleased that Flextronics Semiconductor Inc. chose ARC since both companies share a common mission in terms of time-to-market goals. ARC has developed partnerships in several areas to give us access to additional technologies and capabilities. Now, with Flextronics, we not only have another customer but also a partner with significant capabilities in both chip and complete system manufacturing.''

According to Ralph Waggitt, VP of Marketing at Flextronics Semiconductor Inc., ``This agreement and the contemplated relationship form an important part of a transition which started early this year with the acquisition by Flextronics Semiconductor of the silicon IP group of Aspec Technology.'' Waggit continued to add: ``Our customers are asking us to do more, to provide unique, higher level solutions. We are putting together the necessary elements to respond to their needs.''

ARC International plc, trading as ARC Cores, is a leading designer and developer of customizable, high-performance microprocessor cores and related intellectual property solutions for integrating microprocessors with embedded system applications. ARC's 32-bit RISC processor is an application specific processor or ASP, which can be customized for use in a wide variety of increasingly sophisticated products, including telecommunications, voice and data networking, and consumer electronics products. ARC's technology enables designers to rapidly develop prototype designs for validation of design concepts, to reduce the cycle time between design, development and physical prototype to the launch of a product.

With headquarters in Elstree, England, ARC International plc and its group of companies employ over 200 people in research and development, sales, and marketing offices across North America and Europe. MetaWare, Precise Software Technologies and VAutomation are wholly owned subsidiaries of ARC International plc, providing software development tools, hardware and software intellectual property, and real time operating systems offering a single source solution when required for system-on-a-chip development. The company's Web site is located at: www.arccores.com or phone: 44-0-20-8236-2800 (U.K.) or 408-744-1800.

Flextronics Semiconductor Inc. is the semiconductor group of Flextronics International Ltd., and is a leading supplier of ASIC retargeting services for cost reduction and continuity of supply, offering high-volume supply of application-specific integrated circuits. Based in Sunnyvale, California, Flextronics Semiconductor Inc. supports its customers with design centres in California, Colorado, Israel and India. For more information, please visit the Flextronics Semiconductor Inc. Web site at www.flextronicssemi.com or call 408-744-1800.

About Flextronics International Ltd.

Headquartered in Singapore, Flextronics International is a leading provider of flexibility and speed in Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the fast-growth communications, networking, computer, medical and consumer markets. Flextronics is a major global operating company with design, engineering and manufacturing operations in 27 countries and four continents. This global presence allows for manufacturing excellence through a network of global facilities situated in key markets that in turn provide its customers with the resources, technology and capacity to maximize productivity. Flextronics' ability to provide design and manufacturing services, coordinate innovative product design, provide a full spectrum of specialized services and IT expertise, in conjunction with their global presence, establishes Flextronics as a top-tier EMS provider. For further information, please visit the Flextronics Web site at www.flextronics.com.

NOTE: ARC Cores is a trademark of ARC International (U.K.) Limited. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders.