Exhibit 99.1

          FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                         CONTRACT: Tim Iris

                                                            (631) 847-3169




        GENERAL SEMICONDUCTOR UPDATES FIRST QUARTER BUSINESS OUTLOOK

MELVILLE, NY (March 12, 2001)--General Semiconductor, Inc. (NYSE:SEM), a
leading manufacturer of power management devices, today updated its
business outlook for the first quarter. As a result of the continued
slowdown in our customers' markets and excess inventory still in the
channels, first quarter revenues are expected to be 14 to 16 percent below
the $119.9 million reported in the previous quarter. Diluted earnings per
share for the first quarter are expected to be in the range of $0.12 to
$0.14, before approximately $14 million in one-time charges associated with
the restructuring announced on February 7, 2001.

"Our customer base continues to be affected by the broad-based economic
slowdown," stated Robert J. Gange, Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer. "As a result, the increase in order rates we projected
for late February and early March have not materialized and we now expect
first quarter results to be lower than our earlier guidance."

Ronald A. Ostertag, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer commented,
"Although the current weak market conditions have hindered our short term
earnings outlook, we continue to invest in new product development. We
believe these investments, combined with the cost reduction initiatives
announced on February 7, put the Company in an excellent position for
long-term growth."

Given the current market uncertainty and lack of visibility, the Company
plans to furnish an updated outlook for the second quarter of 2001 and the
balance of the year when it releases first quarter earnings on April 19,
2001.

General Semiconductor, Inc. is a market leader in the design, manufacture
and distribution of power semiconductor components. The Company provides
customers with a broad array of power management products including
rectifiers, transient voltage suppressors, small signal transistors, diodes
and MOSFETs. Its global customer base includes original equipment
manufacturers, electronic distributors and contract equipment
manufacturers. Key markets for its products include automotive, computers,
consumer and telecommunications equipment.

The information set forth above includes "forward-looking" information and,
accordingly, the cautionary statements contained in Exhibit 99 to the
Company's Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission are incorporated herein by reference. General Semiconductor's
actual results could differ materially from the "forward-looking"
information in this press release.

         Visit General Semiconductor on the web at www.gensemi.com
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