The Revolution Will Be Digitized

Seagate was founded in 1979 and was the first company to build 5.25-inch hard drives for the PC. And while it may have seemed like a minor milestone at the time, today this hard drive introduction is regarded as one event that helped fuel the PC revolution. Suddenly, people could access unprecedented amounts of information, which eventually gave rise to the Internet and other developments. And for nearly a quarter of a century, Seagate has been developing the technology and manufacturing the products that helped make it all happen. Today, the world runs on information. Every time you access the Internet, use an ATM, watch TV, listen to digital music, enjoy a movie with computer-generated special effects, or use a consumer-electronics device, you access and share large amounts of digital information on hard drives -- the core of Seagate's business.

DaVinci Would Have Loved Hard Drives

Seagate's position as the world's largest manufacturer of hard drives places it at the heart of today's information-centric world. Throughout its history, Seagate has successfully relied on a strategy of ownership and vertical integration of key underlying technologies: designing, developing and producing the components that underpin its storage products, rather than relying solely on outside suppliers. This isn't easy, because building hard drives is widely recognized as the leading edge of the technology industry. It requires expertise in physics, tribology, aerodynamics, fluid mechanics, information theory, magnetics, process technology and numerous other disciplines. This expertise can enable advanced product lines with easier to use serial interfaces, increased areal density, new platforms and form factors to serve a broader audience, and higher capacity to serve the market's insatiable need for storage. Seagate also has its sights set years into the future. From hand-held computers and web phones, to intelligent storage that knows what information you want and when you want it, to home networks that deliver entertainment, education and services on demand -- Seagate has the knowledge and resources to develop the technologies required for tomorrow. The company is committed to developing new solutions and technologies, pushing storage further than anyone could have imagined in 1979.

Strategy

Seagate's greatest strength is its ability to respond quickly and intelligently to the rapid changes inherent in the hard drive industry. Seagate attributes its success to a sound business strategy and exceptional strength in technical competencies, which provides the flexibility to address the world's evolving storage needs. Building a business based on this strategy has brought Seagate a successful combination of talented people and an expanding technology base that continues to enhance its leadership position. It is a company with vision, innovation and one of the largest commitments to research and development in the storage industry today.

Products

At the core of Seagate's success is its advanced development of hard drive products. Seagate is the market leader with products in 1-inch, 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch form factors in internal and external formats. In capacities ranging from 2.5 GB to 750 GB, this comprehensive line includes products for the price-sensitive desktop market, consumer electronics devices (handheld to in-home audio/video), pocket and portable storage, notebook computers and enterprise-class network servers. Magnetic recording heads and rotating media are critical enabling technologies for advanced storage devices, and Seagate's strength in these areas allows it to supply the vast majority of its own components internally. Seagate's recording head operations manufactures advanced read/write heads for hard drives and tape drives, and is recognized as the world's highest volume manufacturer of magnetic recording heads. The Seagate Mirra Personal Server, an all-in-one multiple-PC backup system, provides home and small business professionals with the ability to automatically back up, remotely access, and securely share digital files. The Mirra Personal Server has three integrated components: an always-on network appliance with three storage options; Windows PC software, and Web access services.

Manufacturing and Facilities

Seagate Technology has R&D and product sites in: Silicon Valley, California; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Longmont, Colorado; Bloomington and Shakopee, Minnesota; Springtown, Northern Ireland; and Singapore. Manufacturing and customer service sites are located in: California; Colorado; Minnesota; Oklahoma; Northern Ireland; China; Malaysia; Singapore and Thailand.

Did You Know?

The hard drive industry continues to consolidate, while the market continues to grow. In 1998, there were 12 drive manufacturers; today, there are seven. Industry experts predict by 2006, the worldwide market for hard drives will surpass 350 million drives.