Philips Lumileds, Automotive Lighting combine intensity as LED leader
Philips Lumileds, the light-emitting diode (LED) innovator that paved the way for breakthrough technologies, including contemporary traffic lights, LED-backlit televisions, mobile-phone flash photography and modern automotive lighting, is on the brink of another revolutionary milestone.
Philips Lumileds, the light-emitting diode (LED) innovator that paved the way for breakthrough technologies, including contemporary traffic lights, LED-backlit televisions, mobile-phone flash photography and modern automotive lighting, is on the brink of another revolutionary milestone.
By the first half of next year, it will merge with Philips Automotive Lighting into a standalone company within the Philips Group.
"Philips Lumileds has been at the core of most lighting applications for nearly four decades," says CEO Pierre-Yves Lesaicherre, who will also lead the new company. "Improving lives is an achievement we take most pride in. In our new journey with Automotive Lighting, we aspire to touch even more people, who will benefit from a fully-integrated supply chain and end-to-end research and development for general lighting and automotive applications."
The company began as the optoelectronics division of Hewlett-Packard before a joint venture was formed with lighting industry leader Philips, which saw the enormous potential of LEDs. Philips eventually took 100 per cent ownership, transforming the company into a pioneer of solid-state lighting solutions and the leading manufacturer of the world's brightest LEDs.
Asia, with its flourishing economy and increasing consumer spending, is among the LED industry's biggest growth areas. Philips Lumileds serves its clients in the region from its offices on the mainland, in Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and India, and also through big distribution partners in Taiwan and on the mainland. The company targets to soon penetrate the second- and third-tier Chinese customers by broadening its local presence, particularly in the indoor and architectural lighting segments.
With its newfound flexibility, the standalone company is expected to quickly gain momentum, which Lesaicherre anticipates will attract additional investors.
"Opportunities are rife for those seeking to capitalise on boundless LED innovations that have yet to be developed," Lesaicherre says. "We welcome investors and partners, and will consider mergers, acquisitions and other opportunities as we aspire to become the largest player in the LED industry."
http://www.philipslumileds.com
