Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML), a global leader in the development and fabrication of advanced semiconductor solutions, today announced it has retained Colliers International's Advanced Technology Real Estate Group (ATREG) to assist with the sale of its fully operational 200mm semiconductor manufacturing facility in North Tyneside, United Kingdom.

This 750,000 square foot (70,000 m2) facility with approximately 54,000 square feet (5,000 m2) of cleanroom and approximately 270 tools represents one of Europe's finest semiconductor manufacturing facilities. The fab is a prominent landmark in North Tyneside, approximately 8 miles from the city of Newcastle, and lies immediately adjacent to the A19 trunk road.

"The Atmel offering represents significant cost and time to market advantages for a producer seeking additional capacity, or to manufacture a more diverse and advanced set of semiconductor products," said Stephen Rothrock, Colliers Senior Vice President and Managing Director of ATREG.

The SMIF mini-environment and class 100 ballroom is designed to run VLSI 200mm silicon wafers with features as small as 130nm. In addition, the campus contains a significant amount of office and support space. The 59-acre (24 hectare) site provides separate, secure and self-contained power, water and numerous amenities. The campus allows flexibility for future growth and is fully permitted.

"Atmel selected Colliers ATREG to assist in capitalizing on the high level of international interest we have experienced since our announcement," said Walt Lifsey, Atmel Senior Vice President of Operations. "Atmel is committed to identifying a qualified purchaser who will see the inherent long term value this offering and team presents."

About Atmel

Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of microcontrollers, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and radio frequency (RF) components. Leveraging one of the industry's broadest intellectual property (IP) technology portfolios, Atmel is able to provide the electronics industry with complete system solutions. Focused on consumer, industrial, security, communications, computing and automotive markets, Atmel ICs can be found Everywhere You Are(R).

About Colliers ATREG

Colliers International is one of the top three commercial real estate services firms in the world with more than 9,300 employees in 241 offices in 54 countries. Colliers' Seattle-based Advanced Real Estate Technology Group (ATREG) helps companies buy and sell advanced technology assets. Recently, Colliers ATREG has represented IBM, LSI Logic, Sony, Maxim, Fujitsu and Matsushita in sales and acquisitions of cleanroom manufacturing, fab and technology facilities.