STMicroelectronics, Inc., Wins the 1999 Malcolm Baldrige Award; ST's US Subsidiary Receives the Highest Level of National Recognition for Quality Available to US Companies.

GENEVA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 23, 1999--

STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM) announced today that its United States subsidiary, STMicroelectronics, Inc., has been awarded the 1999 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.

The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, created by public law in 1987 as part of the national quality improvement campaign, is the highest level of national recognition for quality that a US company can receive. The highly prestigious award promotes an understanding of excellence, greater awareness of quality as a crucial competitive element, and the sharing of quality information and strategies.

Upon notification of the award by Secretary of Commerce William Daley, Richard Pieranunzi, President and CEO of STMicroelectronics, Americas Region, said, "There is no doubt that this great achievement is recognition that we have reached the best in class level." He continued, "With ST's commitment to Total Quality and Environmental Management (TQEM) and continuous improvement, all employees embraced the application process as an opportunity to challenge and benchmark that commitment. We are all very proud of the result and view it as a high point in our ongoing quest for excellence."

When informed that ST had won the award, Pasquale Pistorio, President and CEO of STMicroelectronics remarked, "I am proud of our American Team for its dedication to excellence and its drive to achieve ever higher levels of quality." He added, "In 1997, STMicroelectronics was awarded the European Quality Award, and earlier this year, the Singapore Quality Award. The Malcolm Baldrige Award is a further recognition of the rigorous standards ST sets for all its activities."

Through a highly competitive application process including detailed reviews and numerous site visits, the performance of MBNQA applicants is assessed in the following areas: Leadership, Strategic Planning, Customer and Market Focus, Information and Analysis Systems, Human Resources, Process Management, and Business Results. Applicants are chosen by a Board of Examiners, comprised of leading U.S. business, health care, and education experts and individuals selected from industry, professional and trade organizations, government agencies, and other not-for-profit groups.

STMicroelectronics (formerly SGS-THOMSON Microelectronics) is a global independent semiconductor company, whose shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on the Bourse de Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. The Company designs, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs) and discrete devices used in a wide variety of microelectronic applications, including telecommunications systems, computer systems, consumer products, automotive products and industrial automation and control systems. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com