Apple Computer Plans To Streamline Operations And Increase Efficiency During Current Industry Pause

CUPERTINO, Calif., May 31, 1985 -- PRNewswire -- Apple Computer today announced plans to streamline operations and increase efficiency during the current industry pause, while positioning the company for significant growth in the future.

According to Apple president and chief executive officer John Sculley, "Apple was among the first to recognize that the growth rate of the computer industry was slowing, and quickly took steps to respond. We are restructuring along functional lines to create a more efficient organization and expect to emerge from this period as a highly focused, unified and flexible company."

Del Yocam, executive vice president, will be a group executive, overseeing all product operations worldwide and will be responsible for manufacturing, product development, operations management and physical distribution for both the Apple II and Macintosh product families. Yocam was formerly general manager of the Apple II division.

Bill Campbell, executive vice president, will also be a group executive overseeing all U.S. sales and marketing. Previously, marketing was split between the two product divisions and sales.

Mike Spindler continues as vice president of the international division.

Steve Jobs, Apple's co-founder and chairman of the board, will take on a more global role in new product innovations and strategies. Sculley said, "Steve is a visionary who helped shape the personal computer industry and personally led the team that developed and introduced Apple's successful Macintosh computer. As chairman of the board, he will continue to be a creator of powerful ideas and the champion of Apple's spirit.

"Apple is built on the vision that the development of great products which bring the power of computing to individuals can change the world. We have made these organizational changes now to focus Apple's resources on our two primary markets, education and small and medium sized businesses. We will reach these markets by putting primary emphasis on our strong dealer distribution channel. We remain firmly committed to both the Apple II and Macintosh product families and will accelerate development efforts on new products which enhance and build on our product strategy."

/CONTACT: Barbara Krause of Apple, 408-973-3719, or Andrea Cunningham of Regis McKenna Inc., 415-494-2030, for Apple/