Diodes Incorporated Announces Development of Ultra-Low Leakage High Voltage Schottky Barrier Process; Breakthrough Process Will Lead to New Products for High Efficiency Applications

    WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.--March 27, 2003--Diodes Incorporated, a leading manufacturer and supplier of high quality discrete semiconductors, today announced the development of a breakthrough ultra-low leakage, high voltage Schottky barrier rectifier process.
    This new process allows Diodes to offer Schottky barrier rectifier products with leakage current low enough to suit many high efficiency switch-mode power supply (SMPS) applications such as adaptors, desktops and server SMPS. The low forward voltage drop of the Schottky barrier rectifier makes it more efficient than traditional P-N junction devices such as ultra-fast recovery rectifiers. In addition, the lower forward drop of the Schottky device results in lower heat dissipation, which allows for greater miniaturization of portable products.
    "This breakthrough technology will allow Diodes to offer an expanded range of Schottky solutions to many of our SMPS customers," said Mark King, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Diodes Incorporated. "The low forward voltage drop of the Schottky device allows our customers to boost their power supplies' overall efficiency and gain a competitive edge. This in turn will allow us to displace lower ASP P-N junction ultra-fast devices with higher margin Schottky products."
    The new products are also expected to have broad appeal in automotive applications where the low breakdown voltage of traditional Schottkys is not suitable due to temporary high voltage transients coming from inductive elements such as fans, solenoids and alternators. The new process is expected to allow Diodes, Inc. to develop Schottky barrier rectifiers having reverse breakdown voltage ratings of up to 200 Volts.
    The technology was developed at Diodes' FabTech facility in Lee's Summit, Missouri. Diodes, Inc. expects to announce several new products using this technology over the next two quarters, including a new line of Powermite(R)3 products manufactured at its Diodes-China facility.
    For more information, visit http://www.diodes.com or contact Diodes' customer service at 805-446-4800 or email at info@diodes.com.

    About Diodes Incorporated

    Diodes Incorporated is a leading manufacturer and supplier of high-quality discrete semiconductor products, serving the communications, computer, industrial, consumer electronics and automotive markets. The Company operates three Far East subsidiaries, Diodes-China (QS-9000 and ISO-14001 certified) in Shanghai, Diodes-Taiwan (ISO-9000 certified) in Taipei, and Diodes-Hong Kong. Diodes-China's manufacturing focus is on subminiature surface-mount devices destined for wireless devices, notebook, flat panel display, digital camera, mobile handset, set top box, DC to DC conversion, and automotive applications, among others. Diodes-Taiwan is our Asia-Pacific sales, logistics and distribution center. Diodes-Hong Kong covers sales, warehouse and logistics functions. The Company's 5" wafer foundry, Diodes-FabTech (QS-9000 certified), specializes in Schottky products and is located just outside Kansas City, Missouri. The Company's ISO-9000 corporate sales, marketing, engineering and logistics headquarters is located in Southern California. For further information, visit the Company's website at http://www.diodes.com.

    Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Any statements set forth above that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, such factors as implementation and market reception to the new Schottky barrier rectifier process, fluctuations in product demand, the introduction of new products, the Company's ability to maintain customer and vendor relationships, technological advancements, impact of competitive products and pricing, growth in targeted markets, risks of foreign operations, and other information detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

    Recent news releases, annual reports, and SEC filings are available at the Company's website: http://www.diodes.com. Written requests may be sent directly to the Company, or they may be e-mailed to: diodes-fin@diodes.com.