Semiconductor Industry Legend Retires

Apr 23, 2008 6:37 PM

On Monday, International Rectifier (www.irf.com) announced that the company’s founder Eric Lidow will retire from his position as chairman and as a member of the board of directors effective on May 1, 2008. Lidow had served as the company’s chief executive officer until 1995, after which time he assumed the position of chairman.

Lidow founded International Rectifier in 1947. Over the course of more than six decades, Lidow transformed a start-up company that developed selenium photoelectric cells and selenium rectifiers into a leader in power management technology that today produces thousands of analog, digital, and mixed signal integrated circuits and other advanced power management technologies and products.

Speaking on behalf of the board of directors, president and chief executive officer Oleg Khaykin said, “Eric is one of the most respected pioneers in the power semiconductor industry. His long-standing commitment to the employees and customers of International Rectifier has been crucial to our progress over the decades. As we continue to grow as a company, the legacy of Eric’s leadership during his 60 years at IR will remain.”

“The development and growth of International Rectifier has been a great source of pride to me,” said Lidow. “While I am passionate about the technology, people are the vital ingredient. As the power management industry continues to evolve, I have great confidence in the company’s technology roadmap and in the management team’s ability to execute the strategy established to take the company forward.”

Lidow has received numerous honors for his contributions to the industry. In 2004, Power Electronics Technology magazine honored Lidow by presenting him with its first Lifetime Achievement Award. An article chronicling Lidow’s career and accomplishments appears in the September 2004 issue of the magazine (see Eric Lidow: Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient).