Philips Invests in LCD Technology

PHILIPS ANNOUNCES EUR 40 MILLION INVESTMENT IN INNOVATIVE LCD BACKLIGHTING TECHNOLOGY

Amsterdam, The Netherlands — Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI)} today announced to invest EUR 40 million in LCD backlighting technology that is used to improve LCD picture quality of widescreen televisions while at the same time energy consumption will be lower.

Especially, the Philips Lighting factory in Roosendaal, the Netherlands, will benefit from this investment as it will positively impact high-skilled employment. The lighting factory in Roosendaal is the global competence centre for high-end fluorescent lighting products and technologies from Philips.

Theo van Deursen, CEO of Philips Lighting: “This investment shows our continuous ambition to set the pace in the lighting industry combined with a systematic approach to seeking out new and fast growing market opportunities. Our Aptura™ LCD backlighting technology is a major innovation in picture quality that fully meets the needs and desires of the consumer”.

Philips is number one in the global lighting market, a position supported by leadership in innovation. Philips Lighting’s products are found all around the world: not only everywhere in the home, but also in a multitude of professional applications such as offices, airports, hospitals, cars and major stadiums.

About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is one of the world’s biggest electronics companies and Europe’s largest, with sales of EUR 30.3 billion in 2004. With activities in the three interlocking domains of healthcare, lifestyle and technology and 160,900 employees in more than 60 countries, it has market leadership positions in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring, color television sets, electric shavers, lighting and silicon system solutions.