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KEMET Corporation which together with its subsidiaries is a leading manufacturer of tantalum capacitors, multilayer ceramic capacitors ("MLCC") and solid aluminum capacitors. The company’s strategy is to be the preferred capacitor supplier at each of the world’s most successful electronics companies. KEMET is headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, with manufacturing facilities located in the southeastern United States and Mexico and distribution centers located in the United States, Europe, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Mexico. KEMET common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol “KEM.”

Vision

To be the preferred supplier of passive electronic solutions among customers demanding the highest standards of quality, delivery, and service.

Our Core Values

Empowered and Accountable Employees
Continuous Improvement
Easy-to-Buy-From
Global Mindset
Speed
Integrity

History of KEMET

KEMET Corporation, as we know it today, was officially formed on December 21, 1990. It was originally established by Union Carbide Corporation in 1919 in Cleveland, Ohio, as Kemet Laboratories. The name "KEMET" is a blend of the words "chemical" and "metallurgy." One of KEMET’s first products was "getters," an essential element in every vacuum tube. It is estimated that over 80% of the vacuum tubes used by the Allies during World War II contained KEMET getters.

The business continued to grow and prosper until the early 1950’s when the transistor began to displace vacuum tubes in electronics. Transistors utilized another new invention, the solid tantalum capacitor, which complemented the use of low-voltage transistors (semiconductors) in electrical circuits. Since Union Carbide had experience in the fields of high-temperature metals and alloys, the solid tantalum capacitor was chosen as KEMET’s “new product” to provide the vehicle for future growth.

Locations
By 1962, the capacitor business had experienced very rapid growth. A new 50,000 square foot plant in Greenville, South Carolina, designed from inception as a capacitor production facility, started up in late 1963. By the late 1960’s, KEMET was clearly established as a major U.S. capacitor producer, with the leading market share in solid tantalum capacitors. In order to expand KEMET’s product scope and enable its continuing rapid growth, the decision was made to enter the multilayer ceramic capacitor business in 1969.

In April 1969, a manufacturing facility was opened in Matamoros, Mexico, to further expand KEMET’s production capabilities. The Cleveland Plant was phased out in early 1971, and all personnel and equipment were transferred either to Greenville or to the newly constructed Mauldin, South Carolina, plant. Today, KEMET also manufactures capacitors in Shelby, North Carolina; Fountain Inn, South Carolina; Monterrey, Mexico; and Ciudad Victoria, Mexico.

Financials
In 1986, Union Carbide announced its decision to divest itself of businesses that no longer fit its business plans. On April 1, 1987, the existing management group bought the company from Union Carbide Corporation and renamed it KEMET Electronics Corporation. While Union Carbide still retained 50% of KEMET’s stock, KEMET was now a stand-alone company with David E. Maguire as its President/CEO. This proved to be a very successful venture. During its first few years, KEMET demonstrated continued rapid growth with superior financial performance. On December 21, 1990, a group of inventors including KEMET Senior Management and Citicorp Corporation purchased the balance of KEMET stock, and KEMET Corporation was born. This sale ended all ties with Union Carbide Corporation.

On October 21, 1992, KEMET Corporation completed its Initial Public Offering (IPO) with additional offerings in June 1993 and December 1999. Proceeds from these offerings were used to repay debt and redeem preferred stock. KEMET continued to grow and prosper, and the company’s Board of Directors announced two-for-one stock splits in September 1995 and May 2000.

Products
Today, KEMET leads the capacitor industry in producing high-performance solutions, including the world’s most complete line of surface-mount tantalum, ceramic, and aluminum capacitor technologies provided with near-perfect quality and on-time delivery at competitive prices to customer locations worldwide. KEMET capacitors are fundamental elements used in every type of electronic equipment, including computers, telecommunication, automotive electronics, military electronics, medical electronics, and consumer electronics. “High-Reliability” versions of our capacitors have shared in every important military/aerospace effort from the first Telstar to Viking, the Apollo moon landing, the Patriot missile, the Mir and International Space Stations, and the Pathfinder/Sojourner exploration of Mars. Production is measured in the billions of pieces per year.