Circuit Semantics Opens European Headquarters Meets European Demand for High-Performance Design Solutions; Names European Operations Managers.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 5, 2000

Circuit Semantics Inc., a leading provider of timing and model generation tools for high performance integrated circuit design, announced today the opening of its European subsidiary in Nice, France. The subsidiary was established to provide local sales, marketing and applications engineering support to Circuit Semantics' European customers. In addition to providing European sales and marketing programs the office will be fully equipped to do benchmarks and evaluations as well as post sales support.

Leading the subsidiary will be Arnie Becker, director of Worldwide Business Development and John Scragg, European applications engineering manager. Becker brings a wealth of experience from building European operations for Solomon Design Automation and Cadence Design Systems. Scragg, brings over ten years of experience in international applications engineering support for many leading technology companies including Meta Software, Avant!, Incsys Europe, and Racal Redac.

"The establishment of a European office and experienced management team will provide the direct, daily contact and support we need to better serve our customers and prospects," said Larry Yamada, vice president of Marketing and International Sales.

"Establishing our European operations was a clear decision for us," stated Gary Larsen, CEO of Circuit Semantics. "Europe provides a source of educated, technologically savvy engineers to expand our business to an international level. The rapidly emerging market for semiconductor IP requires the best in technical skills as well as local account relations. With the experience and commitment, at our French subsidiary our customers in Europe will be assured of excellent client relations and technical support."

The Nice, France site is Circuit Semantics' third sales, marketing and applications engineering support operation. Corporate headquarters is in San Jose, Calif. and there is a full-service office in Austin, Texas. Circuit Semantics also has distributor offices in Japan, Korea and Taiwan.

About Circuit Semantics

Circuit Semantics, Inc. provides timing and characterization solutions for high performance cells, cores, and blocks based on innovative technology for which patents are currently pending. IC designers employ these mixed-level solutions to create high-performance chips using full-custom and structured-custom methodologies. The company's products support precise, gate-level abstraction of transistor-level circuits to accelerate timing closure for designs fabricated in deep submicron (DSM) process technologies. These solutions are especially well suited for the microprocessor, digital signal processing, graphics and the high-speed communications markets. Circuit Semantics is headquartered at 2590 North First Street, Suite 301, San Jose, California 95131, telephone [phone]; fax [phone]. For more information, visit www.circuitsemantics.com.

Circuit Semantics Europe

Circuit Semantics Europe is located at Bat 120, 292 Chem. du Valbosquet, 06600 Antibes, France and the telephone number is 33/4-93-33-72-08.