Time names Acer Founder Stan Shih in 60 Years of Asian Heroes list

Shih: Honor goes to Acer employees and partners over past 30 years

TAIPEI, TAIWAN (8 November, 2006) -- Time magazine names Acer Founder Stan Shih in a list of "60 Years of Asian Heroes," as a tribute to the remarkable men and women who have shaped the times over the last six decades in Asia. Shih expresses that the honor goes to all Acer employees and partners in the company's 30-year history.

The Time's "60 years of Asian Heroes" is published in its special 60th anniversary Asian issue. The Chinese heroes include Yahoo!'s Jerry Yang, Japanese baseball player Sadaharu Oh, China's politician -- the  late Deng Xaoping, former prime minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew, Hong Kong entrepreneur Li Ka-shing and movie star Bruce Lee.

The Times' article on Shih, written by Intel president and CEO Paul Otellini, describes Shih as, "Among the first to recognize the potential of microprocessors ¡K the brains of billions of products from cars to cell phones, Shih saw how marrying cheap chips with efficient manufacturing could spread computing power to the masses. It was the right idea -- so right that Shih ended up creating a globally recognized brand of personal computers (Acer), kindling a booming high-tech industry in Taiwan ¡K and inspiring a generation of Taiwanese entrepreneurs.

"Thanks in no small part to Shih's pioneering example, the integrated-supply-chain model is now the hallmark of PC contract manufacturing worldwide. In other words, he's a big reason why your PC costs US$1,000, not US$10,000," the article said.

Shih translates this honor as the global recognition of Acer's growth over the years and who is today the world's No. 4 PC brand. The Acer culture has always encouraged teamwork, and placed importance on the long-term commitment of employees and winning business partnerships. Hence, the reason that Shih states the credit must be shared among all past "team" members.

Thirty years ago, Shih saw and took the opportunity to develop microprocessor-based technologies and the PC. He is one of the founders of the Acer brand and propelled the company to a global scale. He is a long time spokesperson for Taiwan's IT industry, and is known for his unique models of management. Shih is frequently cited for his Smiling Curve, a business model that illustrates the vitality of the global IT industry.

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About Acer
Since its founding in 1976, Acer has constantly pursued the goal of breaking the barriers between people and technology. Focused on marketing its brand-name IT products around the globe, Acer ranks as the world's No. 3  vendor for total PCs and No. 2 for notebooks, with the fastest growth among the top-five players. A profitable and sustainable Channel Business Model is instrumental to Acer's continued growth, while the successful mergers of Gateway and Packard Bell complete the company's global footprint by strengthening its presence in the U.S., and enhancing its strong position in Europe. Acer Inc. employs 5,000 people worldwide. 2007 revenues reached US$14.07 billion.

Contact:
Stella T.H. Chou, Henry Wang
PR, Branding Division
8F, 88, Sec.1, Hsin Tai Wu Rd., Hsichih,
Taipei Hsien 221, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Tel: 886-2-8691-3204/1046
Fax: 886-2-8691-3262
E-mail: Stella_th_chou@acer.com.tw  Henrywang@acer.com.tw

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