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DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPANY
12 Months Ended
May. 30, 2015
DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPANY
1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPANY
Richardson Electronics, Ltd. is a leading global provider of engineered solutions, power grid and microwave tubes and related consumables; power conversion and RF and microwave components; high value displays, flat panel detector solutions and replacement parts for diagnostic imaging equipment; and customized display solutions.  We serve customers in the alternative energy, healthcare, aviation, broadcast, communications, industrial, marine, medical, military, scientific and semiconductor markets. The Company’s strategy is to provide specialized technical expertise and “engineered solutions” based on our core engineering and manufacturing capabilities. The Company provides solutions and adds value through design-in support, systems integration, prototype design and manufacturing, testing, logistics, and aftermarket technical service and repair through its global infrastructure.
Our products include electron tubes and related components, microwave generators, subsystems used in semiconductor manufacturing, and visual technology solutions. These products are used to control, switch or amplify electrical power signals, or are used as display devices in a variety of industrial, commercial, medical, and communication applications.
During the first quarter of fiscal 2015, we created a new strategic business unit called Richardson Healthcare ("Healthcare"). Healthcare was previously included in our Canvys business unit. As hospitals remain under pressure to reduce costs while serving a much larger customer base, there is a growing demand for independent sources of high-value replacement parts for diagnostic imaging. Having access to parts that are tested and in stock enables hospitals to terminate expensive service contracts with the Original Equipment Manufacturers ("OEM") and instead use third party service providers or in-house technicians. With our global infrastructure, technical sales team, and experience servicing the healthcare market, we are well positioned to take advantage of this market opportunity. Over time, our plan is to expand our position from being the leader in power grid tubes to a key player in the high-growth, high-profile healthcare industry.
We have three operating segments, which we define as follows:
Electron Device Group ("EDG"), renamed Power and Microwave Technologies Group in July 2015, provides engineered solutions and distributes electronic components to customers in alternative energy, aviation, broadcast, communications, industrial, marine, medical, military, scientific, and semiconductor markets. EDG focuses on various applications including broadcast transmission, CO2 laser cutting, diagnostic imaging, dielectric and induction heating, high energy transfer, high voltage switching, plasma, power conversion, radar, and radiation oncology. EDG also offers its customers technical services for both microwave and industrial equipment. In July 2015, EDG was re-named Power and Microwave Technologies Group.
Canvys provides customized display solutions serving the corporate enterprise, financial, industrial, and OEM markets.
Healthcare manufactures, distributes and services high value replacement parts for the healthcare market including hospitals, medical centers, independent service organizations, and multi-vendor service providers. Products include power grid tubes, hydrogen thyratrons, klystrons, magnetrons; Image Systems medical displays and workstations for picture archiving and communication systems ("PACS"); visual solutions for operating rooms/surgical environments; digital radiography solutions including replacement flat panel detectors and upgrades; and additional replacement components currently under development for the diagnostic imaging service market. Through a combination of newly developed products and partnerships, service offerings, and training programs, we believe we can help our customers improve efficiency and deliver better clinical outcomes while lowering the cost of healthcare delivery.
We currently have operations in the following major geographic regions: North America, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and Latin America.