Aug 20 (Reuters) - Microchip Technology ( MCHP ) said on

Tuesday an "unauthorized party" disrupted the company's use of

certain servers and some business operations.

After detecting "potentially suspicious activity" in its IT

systems on Saturday, the chipmaker began taking steps to assess

and contain the issue, it said in a filing.

Shares of the company were down about 3% in extended

trading.

Microchip said its manufacturing facilities were operating

at less-than-normal levels and its ability to fulfill orders was

impacted.

The company has shut down certain systems and launched an

investigation with the assistance of external cybersecurity

advisers.