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TriQuint, RFMD confirm new name: Qorvo [The Oregonian, Portland, Ore.]
[September 18, 2014]

TriQuint, RFMD confirm new name: Qorvo [The Oregonian, Portland, Ore.]


(Oregonian (Portland, OR) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Sept. 18--TriQuint Semiconductor and RF Micro Devices confirmed Thursday that they have settled on a name for their combined company: Qorvo.

That's not a surprise: The Oregonian reported earlier this month that appeared to be the most likely pick, based on RFMD's trademark filings. But the companies explained Thursday what the new name means, and how to say it.

Pronounced "kor-vo," the name is intended to reflect the "core technologies and innovations" the companies plan to enable following their combination.

The name's first syllable is meant to evoke "chorus" -- people working in unison, as well as "core" technlogy. The second syllable, "vo," is meant to indicate voyage or travel through air or space.

TriQuint is one of the largest companies based in Oregon, with roughly 1,000 employees at its Hillsboro headquarters and chip factory. RFMD, headquartered in North Carolina, was a chief rival.

Both TriQuint and RFMD make computer chips for wireless communications. Their products appear in the iPhone and many other smartphones, as well as communications networking equipment.



They announced plans to combine in February, granting stockholders of each company a 50 percent stake in the new business. With a combined market value of $7 billion, it's the largest deal in Oregon tech history.

When the TriQuint/RFMD combination closes, likely sometime later this year, Qorvo will trade on Nasdaq under the stock symbol "QRVO." The two companies say they haven't settled on a headquarters for Qorvo, and may not make that decision for some time, though RFMD chief Bob Bruggeworth will run the combined business.


Qorvo will also have to decide what to do about excess manufacturing capacity their combination creates. TriQuint and RFMD have suggested they will eventually close either a factory in Greensboro or the one in Hillsboro, but TriQuint CFO Steve Buhaly said earlier this month that both factories will likely remain open into 2017.

-- Mike Rogoway; twitter: @rogoway; 503-294-7699 ___ (c)2014 The Oregonian (Portland, Ore.) Visit The Oregonian (Portland, Ore.) at www.oregonian.com Distributed by MCT Information Services

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