WJ Communications and Richardson Electronics Sign Distribution Agreement for RFID Products
SAN JOSE, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Sept. 23, 2004—
WJ Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:WJCI), a leading
designer and supplier of RF solutions for the RFID and Wireless
Infrastructure markets, today announced that it has entered into a
distribution agreement with Richardson Electronics (Nasdaq:RELL) for
its rapidly expanding RFID product line. Under the agreement
Richardson will operate as a worldwide distributor and value-added
sales channel of WJ's RFID product portfolio including the recently
announced MPR 6000 and various derivative products. The MPR 6000,
which will begin shipping in the fourth quarter of 2004, is a
multi-protocol (Class 0, Class 1 and UHF Gen 2 Upgradeable) UHF RFID
reader card in a standard PCMCIA Type II format.
The agreement includes cooperation in sales efforts, joint
promotions, MarCom and technical support and leveraging Richardson
Electronics' strong applications engineering capabilities. Richardson
Electronics will take orders by phone and via its e-commerce portal at
www.rell.com.
"Richardson continuously demonstrates its commitment to customers
and offers the best service and support in the RF industry," said
Michael Farese, Chief Executive Officer and President for WJ
Communications. "REL has built strong customer relationships via their
sales, application engineering, and logistics organizations that are
placed strategically worldwide. This is especially important for the
RFID marketplace. REL's Engineered Solutions approach is an ideal
match for OEM customers integrating cards -- like the new
multi-protocol MPR 6000 RFID Card -- into RFID readers, printers,
handhelds and other applications. The bottom line is that this
relationship will make WJ's readers more readily available with the
type of excellent sales and support customers have come to expect from
WJ. This agreement builds on the strong relationship that already
exists between the two companies in the RF semiconductor area."
"We are excited to announce this expanded relationship," said Greg
Peloquin, Richardson's executive vice president and general manager of
the RF & Wireless Communications Group. "WJ has been a premier
supplier of RF semiconductors and with the release of the new MPR 6000
WJ again demonstrates its ability to offer cutting edge RFID products.
REL has the logistics infrastructure, knowledgeable sales force,
technical support personnel and commitment to support OEM customers of
the MPR 6000. Additionally, REL's Engineered Solutions has the
capabilities to add value to OEM customers. REL will coordinate sales
and fulfillment channels with WJ's direct sales force to provide the
highest level of customer satisfaction. This agreement is consistent
with both companies' strategic business goals, and we believe
Richardson's sales, logistics and support organizations along with
WJ's RFID products will set the standard for customer support and
satisfaction in the RFID industry."
About WJ Communications
WJ Communications Inc. is a leading RF semiconductor company
focusing on the design and manufacture of high-quality devices and
multi-chip modules (MCMs) for telecommunications systems worldwide.
WJ's highly reliable amplifier, mixer, RF IC and MCM products are used
to transmit and receive signals that enable current and next
generation wireless and wireline services. For more information visit
www.wj.com.
About Richardson Electronics
Richardson Electronics, Ltd. is a global provider of "engineered
solutions," serving the RF and wireless communications, industrial
power conversion, security and display systems markets. The Company
delivers engineered solutions for its customers' needs through product
manufacturing, systems integration, prototype design and manufacture,
testing and logistics. Press announcements and other information about
Richardson are available on the World Wide Web at
http://www.rell.com/investor.asp.
About PCMCIA
PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association)
is an international standards body and trade association with over 200
member companies that was founded in 1989 to establish standards for
Integrated Circuit cards and to promote interchangeability among
mobile computers where ruggedness, low power, and small size were
critical. PCMCIA promotes the interoperability of PC Cards not only in
mobile computers, but in such diverse products as digital cameras,
cable TV, set-top boxes, and automobiles. For more information visit
http://www.pcmcia.org/index.htm.
All trademarks used, referenced, or implicitly contained herein
are used in good faith and highlighted to give proper public
recognition to their respective owners.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995:
This press release contains forward-looking statements including
financial projections, statements as to the plans and objectives of
management for future operations, and statements as to the Company's
future economic performance, financial condition or results of
operations. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts
but rather are based on current expectations and our beliefs. The
Company's actual results may differ materially from those projected in
these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors
including those described from time to time in the Company's filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers of this release
are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or
revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect
changed events or circumstances after the date of this press release.
Contact:
WJ Communications, Inc.
Richard Woodburn, 408-577-6409
richard.woodburn@wj.com
or
REL
Gerry Camacho, 909-600-0030
camacho@rell.com
