The microprocessor manufacturer who produced the Zilog Z80 in July 1976 (as used by Sinclair in the ZX-80, ZX-81 and ZX Spectrum computers) and later the Zilog Z8000. Zilog was founded in 1974 and became a wholly owned subsidiary of Exxon Corp. by 1980. The company's management and employees purchased Zilog back from Exxon in 1989. Zilog became a publicly-held company in February, 1991. In March of 1998, Zilog was privatised, as a result of the merger and recapitalisation transaction by Texas Pacific Group (TPG). Zilog now produce a range of 8-bit microcontrollers, 8-, 16- and 32-bit microprocessors, and digital signal processors, covering the home entertainment, communications, and embedded systems markets.