EXHIBIT 99.1

NEWS RELEASE DATED MAY 15, 1998 RE BKC MERGER

Microsemi and BKC Semiconductors Complete Merger

SANTA ANA, Calif. and LAWRENCE, MASS.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 15, 1998-
Microsemi Corporation, Santa Ana, California, (Nasdaq:MSCC) and BKC 
Semiconductors Incorporated, Lawrence, MA (Nasdaq:BKCS) jointly announced today 
that they have completed the merger of BKC with a wholly-owned subsidiary of 
Microsemi. The agreement to merge was previously announced on January 21, 1998.

Under the terms of the merger, Microsemi Corporation has acquired BKC for $9.17 
per share in cash. As a result of this merger, BKC will become a wholly-owned 
subsidiary of Microsemi. The current plan is for BKC to operate as a stand-alone
subsidiary.

In a statement, Philip Frey, Jr., Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and 
President of Microsemi, said, "The addition of BKC diode products and customers 
gives Microsemi Corporation a broader and stronger strategic position in the 
military, space and commercial marketplace worldwide, which we believe will show
positive results in the coming year."

Mr. James Shiring, President and CEO of BKC, said, "Both the employees and 
management of BKC are excited about being part of the Microsemi family of 
companies and the growth possibilities resulting from the merger."

As a result of the merger, the registered holders of BKC stock will be receiving
instructions for tendering their stock certificates to State Street Bank and 
Trust of Boston, Massachusetts in exchange for cash payment.  Transfers of BKC 
stock will no longer be registered, and BKC stock has ceased to be traded on the
Nasdaq Small Cap Market.  The surviving corporation has filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission to deregister and suspend further filing 
requirements with respect to BKC.

Microsemi Corporation is a multinational supplier of high reliability power 
semiconductors, surface mount and custom diode assemblies for the electronics, 
computer, telecommunications, defense/aerospace and medical markets. More 
information may be obtained by contacting the company directly or by visiting 
the company's website at: http://www.microsemi.com

BKC Semiconductors Incorporated has its manufacturing and executive offices at 
its Lawrence, Massachusetts site, and manufactures discrete, single function 
semiconductor devices used by industrial, automotive, defense, 
telecommunications, and aerospace industries to convert and control electrical 
power in electronic equipment.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 
1995: Any statements set forth in this News Release that are not historical in 
nature are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that 
could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the

 
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to
risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. 
Potential risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to such factors as
the strength and competitive pricing environment of the semiconductor 
marketplace, demand for and acceptance of the Company's products, the success of
planned marketing and promotional campaigns, as well as other factors identified
in Microsemi's Form 10-K for the year ended September 28, 1997 and subsequent 
Form 10-Q's and 8-K's, and in BKC's Form 10-K for the year ended September 30,
1997 and subsequent Form 10-Q's and 8-K's filed by the Companies with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission.

              CONTACT:  Silverman Heller Associates
                        Eugene G. Heller/Philip Bourdillon, 310/208-2550
                        or
                        Microsemi Corporation
                        David R. Sonksen, 714/979-8220
                        or
                        BKC Semiconductors Incorporated
                        James R. Shiring, 978/681-9132